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 region pivoted. The production of highly decorative art glass in Empoli and the surrounding areas reached an all-time high, bound strictly for Western international markets. Throughout the 1950s and into the early 1970s, vibrant cased glass vessels, heavily 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.
Read more about Italian Empoli glass production here.
Note: This bottle is from the Yugoslavian production, not the Italian Empoli production. These bottles were produced in roughly the same period, also by an unknown manufacturer.
THIS LISTING
A tall decanter/bottle (aka 'genie bottle'), paired with a replacement resin* stopper.
Model Decanter/Bottle
Production 1960s/70s
Pattern Hobnail / Bubble
Colour Dark Olive / Smoke Grey
Dimensions 56cm (22") tall
Condition Great to excellent condition with no wear that we can see. The resin stopper shows some light inconsistencies from production.
As with all resin products, keep out of direct sunlight as the colour may fade in extended periods of UV light. There may be some small bubbles in the resin from production.
