Collection: Glass | Italian, Empoli

Empoli, as a municipality, is located approximately 30kms (45 mins) southwest of Florence, in the region of Tuscany, Italy. When it comes to Italian glass manufacturing, it is often the under-appreciated region of the country, frequently overshadowed by the more famous Murano or Venetian glass.

Glassmaking in the Empoli region actually has a rich history dating back to the 1500s. Early local production was famous for its traditional 'verde' (Italian for green) glass. This signature colour wasn't a dye, but a natural result of the iron oxide present in the local Tuscan sand, used to create both functional and decorative pieces for centuries.

During the post-war economic boom the production of highly decorative art glass in Empoli and the surrounding areas reached an all-time high, predominantly bound for Western international markets. Throughout the 1950s and into the early 1970s, vibrant cased glass vessels, textured vases, and the now-iconic 'genie bottle' decanters were exported en masse. They were sold at various prominent department stores across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Home styling magazines and department store catalogues of the mid-century era can still be found online today, frequently showcasing these bold, decorative Italian pieces as must-have modern decor.

Glass made by the variety of Empoli manufacturers - both large and small - varied wildly in shape, size, colour, and decoration. Some forms were inspired by traditional Venetian glassmaking techniques, while others relied on completely new, heavily textured press-moulds developed for the modern era.

While some Empoli manufacturing names are documented, such as Cristalleria Artistica Toscana (C.A.T.), STELVIA Glass, and Vetreria Artistica Samminiatello (V.A.S.), many furnaces remain entirely unknown. Furthermore, because it was heavily exported, Empoli glass is often identified only by the paper or foil labels of its international importers and distributors, with surviving labels frequently bearing names like Rossini, Guildcraft, or Alrose.