Flights of Fancy

Five variations of the design were originally produced, with variations in orange, green, yellow, turquoise and blue – each have millefiori glass eyes and thin textured copper wire legs. Offered here are the turquoise and bright orange versions, each a work of art in itself. These cheeky designs reference cartoons of the period and, with their bright colours, always prove a hit when they appear at auction.

The turquoise bird came to the vendor via his Mother who had been gifted it by a friend of the family some years ago. Aware that it might be of some value, they were nonetheless delighted to discover its true significance. The story behind the arrival of orange bird is even more extraordinary. The vendor, scouring a Sunday morning car boot sale near his home, saw a pair of legs sticking up from a cardboard box. Investigating further, he was astonished to find what he immediately recognised as an important piece of Mid-Century Italian glass.

Both figures will be offered as part of the Modern Design section of Clevedon Salerooms Autumn Specialist Sale on Thursday 10^th September.

Lot 398 - Alessandro Pianon (1931-84) for Vistosi, Italy, ‘Pulcino’ glass bird, model no. S193 circa 1962, orange glass body with darker splatter decoration and millefiori glass eyes above clear crystal base raised on copper wire legs and feet, 21cm high

Estimate
£2,500 - £3,500
Buyer's premium: 27.60%

Lot 399 - Alessandro Pianon (1931-84) for Vistosi, Italy, ‘Pulcino’ glass bird, model no. S189 circa 1962, graduated green glass body with red and blue internal applied murrines and millefiori glass eyes above clear crystal base raised on copper wire legs and feet, 34cm high

Estimate
£1,500 - £2,500
Buyer's premium: 27.60%