A fundamental re-appraisal of Italian glass - largely synonymous with glass from Murano - has been made in recent years. The mass of technically perfect, colourful knick-knacks and "ornamental glass" objects which flooded the market over a long period, obscured the works of lasting value in which the artistic substance of Italian glass art is manifested. This volume provides a critical analysis of some 270 glass works of art from Murano and Milan, documenting and highlighting important developments during four decisive decades of Italian glass manufacture. The text unites the works of the most significant companies and designers, such as those of the architect Carlo Scarpa from the 1930s and early 1940s, and of the painter Fulvio Bianconi from the 1950s-60s. Both were working for Venini & C., the leading manufacturer of this period. The result is a new view of Italian glass art in the 20th century. Murano glass expresses the spirit and vitality of a whole epoch, particularly the creative explosion of the 1950s, which supplied the essential impulses to contemporary international studio glass art. Included in the text are extensive commentaries on all glass works, introductory texts,