S.A.L.I.R. Contemporary Glass-Decorating on Murano 1923-1993

In 1924 five young Italians founded Studio Ars et Labor Industrie Riunite (S.A.L.I.R.), with the aim of modernising the ancient art of glass decoration: Giuseppe D’Alpaos, Decio Toso, Guglielmo Barbini, Dino Martens and Gino Francesconi.

It was with Franz Pelzel, a glass engraver from Bohemia, and the multitalented Guido Balsamo Stella that the production of contemporary glass engraving, for which S.A.L.I.R. is best known for today, began. The so-called incisione alla ruota created the illusion of depth through numerous subtle surface treatments inside the motif. After Balsamo Stella left in 1932, Franz Pelzel took over the role of head designer and occasionally also realised designs by well-known artists.

By virtue of the company archives, Marc Heiremans presents S.A.L.I.R.’s artistic evolution and uses a multitude of illustrations to demonstrate the Murano engravers’ incredible mastery of materials. In addition to the catalogue raisonné, the author examines the most important developments in the history of Murano glass production.

Studying the previously unexplored S.A.L.I.R. archives also uncovered information on other key Murano protagonists who had no affiliation to S.A.L.I.R. These included, for example, a former Venetian glass-decoration company, Pitteri-Luchesi; a semi-industrial glass factory, Cristalleria Nason Moretti; and an investment group from Naples, S.A.I.A.R., which was to play an important role in the advancement of a formerly minor glassworks, Ferro Toso & C.

Numerous new scientific findings and hundreds of design drawings and archive images as well as new photographs from international collections make this comprehensive account indispensable for all enthusiasts and collectors of glass.