Description
Like his set of drinking glasses, Giberto views the Alessandrite Vase as a natural evolution of the traditional Venetian “goto” tumbler.
Crafted from the purest alexandrite glass, the vase exhibits a fascinating characteristic: it changes color depending on the light. This captivating natural effect immediately inspired Giberto to incorporate it into his designs.
“One sunny day, while walking through the Murano furnace, I noticed several pieces of stunning lilac-colored glass in a bin of cotisso — leftover pure blown glass. I picked up a piece and marveled as its warm purple hue shifted to a cool, icy light blue under a colder light. It was love at first sight with alexandrite, and I knew it would be perfect for my collection.”
Building on his set of Alessandrite glasses, Giberto has expanded the theme with this vase, whose larger size enhances the dramatic color shifts even further.
Simple yet undeniably elegant, the slightly flared Alessandrite Vase is expertly crafted by Murano artisans. Its myriad shades and reflections are especially striking when placed on a large table adorned with beautiful lilies, showcasing its quiet yet commanding presence.
The Designer
The life of Giberto Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga is viscerally linked to Venice. His childhood memories, the most beautiful, are those that have taken place in the rooms of Palazzo Papadopoli, between frescoes of Tiepolo and family affection. “In my earliest memories Venice had other colours. It was more obscure, dramatic, decayed and deeply romantic – simply beautiful. There wasn’t the same light like there is today – more dazzling perhaps, but less poetic.”
Craftmanship
Each piece derives from a watercolour sketch made by Giberto on tracing paper: “When I see something that inspires me, or an object that I like, I sketch and rework it – then move on to the realization of it.”
The glass, the main material in the collections, is worked exclusively in Murano. Each glass, each specific object, is blown by master glassmakers in the Venetian furnaces.
Giberto takes his watercolours to discuss with them and refine the project, check its feasibility, and to make eventual changes.