Glass Vase – Italian Jug-Shaped by Carlo Moretti

This striking jug-shaped vase is a bold and expressive example of Italian art glass from the 1970s, designed by Carlo Moretti, one of Murano’s most revered glassmakers, and produced by Opalin Florence. Its elegant silhouette, inspired by the classic form of a pouring vessel, is masterfully hand-blown from white Murano glass and enriched with vivid red and orange inclusions, which swirl organically through the body of the vase like flowing pigment suspended in motion. The transparent glass handle, applied with expert precision, provides a refined visual counterpoint to the intense coloration of the vase’s body, enhancing the piece's sculptural clarity and adding a layer of artisanal complexity. The bold interplay of color and form reflects Moretti’s signature style—modern, minimalist, and deeply rooted in Venetian tradition. Each vase in this series was handcrafted individually, ensuring that no two pieces are exactly alike. As such, this object is not only a decorative accent, but a unique, collectible expression of Murano glass artistry during one of its most innovative decades. With its dynamic palette and timeless form, it makes a captivating statement in both contemporary and vintage-inspired interiors.

Carlo Moretti (1934–2008) was an acclaimed Italian designer and co-founder of the eponymous glass studio established in 1958 on the island of Murano, Venice—world-famous for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition. Trained in architecture, Moretti brought a modern, minimalist sensibility to Venetian glass, combining rigorous form with subtle chromatic effects and exceptional craftsmanship. His work stood out for its balance between artisanal technique and contemporary design, often experimenting with asymmetry, color gradients, and translucent layering. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Moretti became one of the leading voices in mid-century Italian glass, helping to redefine Murano’s identity in the context of modern art and international design. Carlo Moretti’s creations remain highly collectible and are featured in major design museums and private collections around the world, like the MoMA in New York and the Victoria; Albert Museum in London, prized for their elegance, purity of form, and timeless artistic vision.

Opalin Florence was a smaller Italian glass manufacturer active in the mid-20th century, known for its artisanal production of opaline glass objects. Based in Tuscany, Opalin Florence collaborated with notable designers of the era and produced limited series of handmade decorative items, appreciated for their craftsmanship and elegance.

Product details

• Overall dimensions: 11 3/8" × 5 1/2"

• Technique: Hand-blown Murano glass

• Origin: Italy (Carlo Moretti / Opalin Florence)

• Date: 1970s

• Signature: Manufacturer’s sticker on the bottom