Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte

executed by Edwin Burger

Odetto Lastra, Union City, NJ
Acquired from the above by the present owner, 1992

VIIa Triennale of Milan, 1940 (for the model)

C. A. Felice, "Stile del Vetro, Nell'Arrademento e Nelle Produzioni d'Arte," Lo Stile Nella Casa e nell'arredamento rivista, Milan, May-June 1941, no. 5-6, p. 67 (for related examples)
Laura Falconi, Fontana Arte:  Una Storia Transparente, Milan, 1998, p. 76 (for a related form)
Franco Deboni, Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, Max Ingrand, Turin, 2012, nos. 235-236 (for related examples)

Overall in very good original condition. When viewed in person, the glass presents with a deep rose color, which is enhanced by the highly detailed carving and is accurately represented in the catalogue illustration. The glass with a few minute air bubbles and particulate inclusions inherent in the making and not at all visually disruptive. A few larger air bubbles scattered throughout; one to the narrowest portion of the neck is visible in the catalogue illustration. The glass surfaces with a few occasional light surface scratches consistent with age and gentle handling. The raised contours of the carving with very few scattered minute pinhead flecks. An extremely rare example of Chiesa’s vases designed for Fontana Arte and produced by Venini.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In 1939, Pietro Chiesa, who at the time was the artistic director of Fontana Arte in Milan, designed a series of thick-walled vessels which he had decorated with cuttings executed by Edwin Burger. While the blanks were produced by Venini,  the forms were designed by Chiesa and were not part of the company's catalogue. All objects from this series are unique and bare the acid-stamped Venini signature, the diamond engraved FX for Fontana Arte and the B for Burger. 
– Marc Heiremans