Collection: Vetreria Artigiana Samminiatello (Empoli, Italy)
V.A.S. was established during the mid-century glass boom just outside the traditional Empoli centre, in the Tuscan locality of Samminiatello (Montelupo Fiorentino). The name V.A.S. is an acronym for Vetreria Artigiana Samminiatello (later operating as Vetreria Artistica Samminiatello).
The company's production centred heavily on vibrant, decorative pop-art glassware that became a staple of 1960s and 1970s interiors. They are perhaps best known for their striking "Tiger Glass" pieces featuring marbled, flame-twist colourways, as well as a prolific output of brightly coloured cased opaline pitchers, long-necked bud vases, and brandy balloon vases.
Identification benefits from comparisons with surviving factory catalogues and documented examples, as labels may be absent or carry generic or export branding rather than a clear factory name. The specialist Glass Encyclopaedia records an “AV”-labelled example attributed to V.A.S. through a matching shape and size. That comparison is useful evidence for the particular design, but does not establish “AV” as an exclusive V.A.S. maker’s mark or authenticate every piece bearing a similar label.
The later connection with Vetreria Lux is supported by Montelupo Fiorentino’s municipal planning records. These identify Lux as the owner that succeeded Vetreria Artistica Samminiatello and describe the former V.A.S. works falling out of use during the first decade of the 2000s, as Lux completed its relocation to the Pratella area. This documents the ownership relationship and later site history without assigning an unverified acquisition date or assuming a precise end date for artisan production.
Read more about Italian Empoli glass production here.
Read more about V.A.S. identification and catalogue comparisons here.
Read more about the V.A.S. and Lux site history in Montelupo’s municipal report here.
