Battuti Canoe Vase

Battuto is a Murano finishing process in which the surface of blown glass is cold-worked by grinding it with small, overlapping cuts. The technique creates a softly textured, slightly matte surface that diffuses light rather than reflecting it directly, giving the glass a depth distinct from polished crystal.

The vase was designed by Tobia Scarpa and Ludovico Diaz de Santillana, two figures with profound ties to Venini's mid-century legacy. Scarpa is the son of architect Carlo Scarpa, himself a transformative collaborator with Venini, while Diaz de Santillana was the grandson of Paolo Venini, the firm's founder.

Venini has historically distinguished itself by commissioning designs from architects, artists, and industrial designers rather than relying solely on in-house glassblowers. This curatorial approach, established in the 1920s, has produced a body of work that is studied in design schools and held in permanent museum collections worldwide.

Yes, this piece is made to order in Murano. Lead times vary and are confirmed at the time of purchase. Because each vase is mouth-blown and hand-ground individually, minor variations in tone and texture are inherent to the process and considered part of the work's authenticity.

Murano glass should be kept away from direct prolonged sunlight, which can affect certain colorants over time. Cleaning with a soft, dry cloth preserves the ground surface of battuto pieces. For display, a stable surface away from high-traffic areas is recommended, given the weight and fragility of hand-blown forms at this scale.