1960s Italian Empoli MCM Green Glass Decanters Genie Bottles and Apothecary Jars
Date: 1960s
PRICE: $ 3000
Dimensions: H 65cm W 18cm D 17cm
Shipping: $500
Spectacular set of ten 1960s green Italian Empoli pressed and blown glass. Three genie bottles, a mini dog shaped bottle and a cute cat shaped one. A large handblown two color pitcher, a 'corset' decanter. A Brutalist 'block' shaped decanter with a ball stopper and last but not least two very pretty blown glass apothecary or candy jars.
Mention Italian glass and probably everyone’s mind immediately leaps to Venice and Murano.
But there is another almost equally famous centre of Italian glass making known as Empoli.
Empoli, a region where there were many glass companies, on the west side of Italy, southwest of Florence, has been producing and exporting glass since the 14th century. The trademark color "Empoli Green" known as “Empoli Verde" was created from the iron that occurred locally in the sands of the Empoli region. Empoli glass is generally much simpler and does not have the intricately applied trim or decorations associated with Venetian and Murano pieces.
The simple traditional styles of Empoli glass were quickly adapted to the abstract shapes of mid 20th century modernism. It became hugely popular as a decorative home accent, and was exported across the world.
Now they are highly sought after by international collectors and look beautiful arranged together.
All bottles have their stopper and are different in design, shape and size (height with stopper):
Large swirl 'genie' bottle, pressed glass, 65cm high, ø 13cm (25.6" x 5.1")
Large striped 'genie' bottle, pressed glass, 60cm high, ø 14cm (23.6"x5.5")
Large 'genie' bottle with bubble print, pressed glass, 56cm high, ø 13cm (22."x5.1")
Large blown glass ribbed 'genie' candy or apothecary jar, 46cm high, ø 18cm (18.1"x7.1")
Pressed bulbous 'corset' decanter 33cm high, ø 16cm (13"x6.3")
Large Blown pitcher or vase with clear handle 32cm high, ø 17cm ( 12.6x6.7")
Block shaped pressed decanter with ball stopper 28cm high, 10cm wide, 10cm deep (11"x3.9"x3.9")
Little cat shaped pressed bottle 23cm high, 6cm wide, 7cm deep (9"x2.36"x2.8")
Little dog shaped pressed bottle 22cm high, 6cm wide, 8cm deep (8.66"x2.36"x3.15")
Blown glass candy or apothecary jar, 20cm high, ø 15cm (7.9"x5.9")
Like Murano glass in the 1950s-1960s the great majority of Empoli glass was marked only with relatively generic “Made in Italy” paper or foil label. Over time, many of the original labels have fallen off and the majority of Empoli MCM glass now is unmarked.
For all inquiries and shipping quotes send me an email on: zuskorsten@gmail.com
