Master glassblower Ermanno Nason was born in Murano, Italy on 21 July 1928 into one of the island’s oldest families of master glassmakers. Today, nearly one hundred years on from his entry into the world, Nason’s work is revered all throughout the globe, not least because he worked with some of the greatest artists of his time. From Marc Chagall to Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder to Georges Braque, Hans Arp to Max Ernst, these artists influenced the impassioned craftsman, who, after his death in January 2013, left behind an artistic legacy that is known to achieve incredible results on the first and secondary markets.
This May, Germany-based online realtor Design-and-Arts is offering an auction composed exclusively of Nason’s pieces, and many of them his most exemplary. Design-and-Arts is an online dealer specialising in Murano glass, porcelain and pottery, but also offers quarterly auctions, as in this instance. ‘Museum Collection Cenedese, Ermanno Nason’ is already available for preview, and is open for bids from 8-12 May.
The auction offers a complete and comprehensive overview of Nason’s work during his period working at the Cenedese glass factory during 1963-72. Some of the pieces have been published in two books from Aldo Bova and Sergio Gnesin, and many of them clearly demonstrate the designs and ideas from Nason’s collaborations with Alfredo Barbini, Napoleone Martinuzzi, Picasso, Braques, Arp and Professor Antonio Da Ros.
As a young boy, Nason showed early talent. He spent a number of years as a self-employed artist before accepting the role of first master at the furnace of Gino Cenedese & Figlio. Cenedese immediately realised Nason’s outstanding skills and, under the role of first master, employed him to execute unique designs and complex pieces (including vases and sculptures) during 1963-72.
Design-and-Arts’ auction, with over 300 pieces, contains an overview from this early period of Nason’s work. The auction comprises sensational, party published but mostly known and unique masterpieces. All the pieces depicted throughout this article are available for purchase, and you can explore the full auction catalogue below.
From abstract works to functional candle holders and vases, to artistic pieces depicting figures, animals, towers, nature, totems and more, there is something for every kind of Murano and glass collector. The catalogue is broad and varied and widely appealing, and, with it entirely online, it couldn’t be any easier to explore.
