Vase Tyra Lundgren 'Calla' for Venini Murano

Large art glass vase from the 'Calla' series in transparent, white, and pink filigree glass, designed by Tyra Lundgren in 1948 and made by Venini, Venice in 1981. The vase bears an incised signature 'Venini Murano 81' at the base and the former company label on the body. Model no. 3861. Tyra Lundgren (1897–1979) was a Swedish painter, ceramicist, and designer of glass and textiles. In 1936, she met the master glassmaker Paolo Venini at the Triennale in Milan. He invited her to Murano, where she became the first woman to design glass pieces for Venini. Her sculptures of birds, fish, and snakes are among the most sought-after works by Venini. In 1938 and 1948, her creations for Venini were presented at the Venice Biennale. Lundgren also worked as a glass designer for Moser in Karlsbad, for Riihimäki in Finland, and for Kosta in Sweden. In 1950, she received the Swedish royal medal Litteris and Artibus. Bibliographic reference: Marino Barovier and Carla Sonego, Paolo Venini and his Furnace, Milano 2018, pages 339 and 367. Marc Heiremans, Murano Glass in the 20th Century, Stuttgart 1996, page 56.