Collectables

THIS MONTH JOHN MCPHEE TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA’S EXHIBITION OF MURANO GLASS FROM THE EARLY 1800s.

NEARLY EVERY AUSTRALIAN tourist in Venice pays a visit to the island of Murano and marvels at the products of the glassmaking studios established there in the 15th century. Liquid Light: 500 years of Venetian Glass, an exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, presents glass pieces from Venice and other countries that were inspired by techniques and forms developed by the Murano glassmakers. The earliest examples date from the 16th century, but the purchase of a large number of pieces by the gallery from the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880-81 dominates the exhibition. The flutes, jars, bowls and objects were often inspired by Renaissance objects but the love of fanciful decoration and a desire to show off their skills led the glassmakers to create some of the most delightful creations of the 19th century.

The ruby glass (below) is one of those purchased by the gallery in 1881. Its exaggerated flute is supported by a highly decorated stem in the form of a golden lover’s knot embellished with clear glass wings. Made to be looked at and admired, works such as this flute demonstrate the extraordinary skills of Venetian glassmakers.

In the 16th century Muranese glassmakers immigrated and established workshops in France, England, the Netherlands and Germany, and the Venetian industry declined. However, in the 19th century resulted in the modern glass workshops of today. In the early 20th century glassworkers began to produce modern items and Italian Art Deco glass is highly prized by collectors. The great revival of modern glass that occurred in the 1980s with Ettore Sottass designing postmodern objects for the Memphis Group showed the way for Italian glass. In America, Richard Marquis brought a playful hippy style to glassmaking, and on visits to Australia taught young Australian glassmakers such as the South Australian Nick

Mount, whose whimsical creations are great fun. The exhibition concludes with work by Dale Chihuly, a glass artist whose skill and vision has its origins in Venice.

Liquid Light: 500 years of Venetian

Glass, until 12 July 2020. National

Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria, (03) 8620 2222, ngv.vic.gov.au

The glass flute (right) was made by the Venice and Murano Glass and Mosaic Company, circa 1880. Purchased in 1881, it is now on display at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.