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Ansley Art Glass Collection Includes Lino Tagliapietra Glass

December 18, 2009 | view archive

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In the mid to late 1980's Lino began working as an independent studio glass artist designing and executing all of his own work (most of these pieces are unique). Before he became an independent artist he worked in several major Murano factories (Galliano Ferro, Venini, La Murrina, Effetre International etc.) as a traditional Venetian master glassblower and glass designer.

These pieces (lot 2- the vase and lot 3- the bowl) are designed by Lino and were made while he was still working in the factories as a traditional master glassblower and designer. The factories in Murano traditionally have designers come in and design the glass and then the factory glassblowers would make these pieces (usually multiples of the same design in production or limited edition). Lino spent a majority of his career doing both. Lot 2 and lot 3 of this sale are both limited editions of 100 designed by Lino.

Since Lino also worked as a glassblower some of the pieces very well may have been made by him as well as some made by other glassblowers working with him in the factory. Lot 2 is signed Lino Tagliapietra F31 Murano 1982 44/100. I cannot say whether or not Lino himself signed each of these pieces or if it was someone else working in the factory. While he was working in the factories designing and blowing production pieces I personally think it was unlikely that he signed all of the pieces himself.

In the late 1980's he stopped working and designing in the Murano factories to pursue a solo studio artist career. These more recent pieces are usually much more costly because they are almost always unique works, and they are designed, blown, and signed by Lino himself. I hope I have explained this clearly enough to give you a better understanding of these pieces and how they were most likely made.

-Dave Voss

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