Item Description
This very large sconce was part of the 1920s interior of a ballroom/theater in Turin Italy. Five palm leaves made from white Pulegoso glass with gold foil enclosed clear glass grain arise from a brass foundation. Pulegoso glass contains numerous bubbles, making the glass semiopaque and give the surface an irregular texture. Pulegoso was developed by Napoleone Martinuzzi on the island of Murano, Italy, in the 1920s. When switched on the seven-light bulbs inside the sconce spread a beautiful light.
Napoleone Martinuzzi (1892-1977) was an Italian artist and designer who worked in glass, ceramics, and other materials. He was born in Murano, an island near Venice, Italy, and was trained as a glassblower in his family’s workshop. Martinuzzi was influenced by the Art Deco movement and developed a distinctive style that blended traditional Venetian glassmaking techniques with modern design principles. He also worked as a designer for companies such as Venini and Seguso Vetri d’Arte, creating iconic pieces that are now considered classics of mid-century Italian design. Martinuzzi’s work is highly sought after by collectors and museums around the world.
