Pair of 1960s Empoli Art Glass Ewers, Ruby Red and White Swirl, 38 cm

A matching pair of tall, hand-blown ruby-red art glass ewers, attributed to Cristalleria Artistica Toscana of Empoli, Italy, circa 1960s.

Design

Each ewer has a pear-shaped body that narrows into a long neck and ends in a swept, petal-shaped pouring lip. Broad ribbons of opaque white glass spiral around the ruby-red bodies, narrow as they climb the necks and loop back on themselves underneath the bases. The separately applied clear glass handles arc away from the necks and taper into the shoulders. In daylight, the ruby glass brightens to crimson, bringing out the white ribbons and the curves of the handles.

Attribution and provenance

The attribution to Cristalleria Artistica Toscana is based on a closely matching 15-inch ewer documented by UK specialist dealer 20th Century Glass. The dealer’s example shares the distinctive swept spout, clear loop handle and white ribbons that turn back under the base. Related pieces are sometimes listed under Alrose, the American importer. The maker and date are attributed by comparison. The original ownership history of this pair is unknown.

Dimensions

Each ewer measures approximately 38 cm tall by 15 cm across the widest part of the body (15 × 5.9 inches). One weighs 986 g and the other 976 g.

Condition

Both bases show irregular pontil marks from the glassmaking process, along with some light surface marks visible in the close-ups. The white ribbons vary slightly in width and position between the two pieces. Please refer to the detailed photographs of the pouring lips, handle joins and undersides.

At 38 cm tall, the pair has enough height to anchor a sideboard or display cabinet. Set with the spouts facing one another, the clear handles frame the pair while the white ribbons lead the eye down to the rounded ruby bodies. Offered together as a matching pair.