MEZZA FILIGRANA BIANCO

This three piece collection was designed for the modern table using a centuries-old Venetian technique. Inspired by the mid-century work of artist Dino Martens and his use of traditional Venetian techniques in modern pieces, each shape has been carefully considered for versatile everyday use.

Filigrana or filigree is a glass-making technique originating on the island of Murano. Canes of colored glass twist and turn creating intricate ribbon patterns. Mezza Filigrana or half filigree is perhaps the most basic form of the technique. Fine threads of color wind around the glass in a single delicate spiral pattern.

Designed in Maine by Michelle Provencal and produced in Cambridge, Massachusetts by Vitricca Iannazzi.

PROCESS:

Those beautiful white threads of glass are the result of a complicated process. No molds or machine processes are used. The technique requires careful handling by skilled glass blowers. Chunks of raw white glass are heated and formed into a solid white rod which is then encased in clear glass. The rod of glass is then heated and pulled by two glass makers until it is approximately 50 feet in length and as thin as a No.2 pencil. After cooling, this delicate glass cane is broken down into smaller sections. Those sections are laid out side by side and heated into a thin sheet of glass. The hot sheet of striped glass is rolled into a tube which is then cooled and broken into smaller sections. Those sections are then heated, encased in clear glass, and then finally twisted before being blown into shape.