Vase
1971 (designed), 1998 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The design of this polygonal silver vase is deceptively simple. If you look closely you will see that it has twice as many corners on the rim as it does on the base.
It is a product of the San Lorenzo studio in Milan. Formed in 1970, the year before this vase was designed, the studio set out to create new contemporary designs in sterling silver. The small group of architect-designers that formed its nucleus aimed to produce high-quality designs. They created a select band of products in batch production runs, with a strong emphasis on finely detailed design and workmanship.
The husband and wife team of Tobia Scarpa (b.1935) and Afra Bianchin (b.1937), who designed this vase, both studied architecture in Venice. Their work shows a deep understanding of materials and empathy for traditional Italian craftsmanship. They have collaborated on designs for leading Italian manufacturers, including furniture for Gavina, lighting for Flos and cutlery for San Lorenzo. Their architectural commissions include showrooms and factories (one for Benetton in 1964), and public spaces.
It is a product of the San Lorenzo studio in Milan. Formed in 1970, the year before this vase was designed, the studio set out to create new contemporary designs in sterling silver. The small group of architect-designers that formed its nucleus aimed to produce high-quality designs. They created a select band of products in batch production runs, with a strong emphasis on finely detailed design and workmanship.
The husband and wife team of Tobia Scarpa (b.1935) and Afra Bianchin (b.1937), who designed this vase, both studied architecture in Venice. Their work shows a deep understanding of materials and empathy for traditional Italian craftsmanship. They have collaborated on designs for leading Italian manufacturers, including furniture for Gavina, lighting for Flos and cutlery for San Lorenzo. Their architectural commissions include showrooms and factories (one for Benetton in 1964), and public spaces.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver |
| Brief description | Vase, silver, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1971; made by San Lorenzo, Milan, Italy, 1998 |
| Physical description | Polygonal vase. The vessel sits on a flat triangular base, the walls rise to an hexagonal rim with a rolled over edge. Thus six points at the rim transmute to three points at the base, each alternate seam disappering into the side wall. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Limited edition |
| Marks and inscriptions | "An asterisk, 858, MI" within a lozenge, (the town mark of Milan), "925" within an oval lozenge, (the standard of purity), "ats" (the designers' initials, Afra & Tobia Scarpa), "B", the date letter for 1998, and the mark of San Lorenzo. (Designer's and retailer's marks; Just below the rim on the outside wall.; 1998) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | San Lorenzo Gift |
| Object history | Gift of San Lorenzo to recognise the opening of the V&A Silver Galleries, Phase II |
| Production | Reason For Production: Retail |
| Summary | The design of this polygonal silver vase is deceptively simple. If you look closely you will see that it has twice as many corners on the rim as it does on the base. It is a product of the San Lorenzo studio in Milan. Formed in 1970, the year before this vase was designed, the studio set out to create new contemporary designs in sterling silver. The small group of architect-designers that formed its nucleus aimed to produce high-quality designs. They created a select band of products in batch production runs, with a strong emphasis on finely detailed design and workmanship. The husband and wife team of Tobia Scarpa (b.1935) and Afra Bianchin (b.1937), who designed this vase, both studied architecture in Venice. Their work shows a deep understanding of materials and empathy for traditional Italian craftsmanship. They have collaborated on designs for leading Italian manufacturers, including furniture for Gavina, lighting for Flos and cutlery for San Lorenzo. Their architectural commissions include showrooms and factories (one for Benetton in 1964), and public spaces. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.19-1998 |
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| Record created | September 12, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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