AVEM Glass Identification Guide + Gallery

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Arte Vetraria Muranese, or AVEM (A.Ve.M.) for short, was founded in 1932, by several glassblowers - Antonio Luigi Ferro, his son Egidio Ferro, Emilio Nason, and Galliano Ferro. Giulio Radi was technical director. Some early designs were created by the renowned painter Vittori Zecchin.

AVEM are probably best know today for their very popular and long running Bizantino series, known more commonly by collectors as "tutti-frutti", a range of ashtrays, bowls and vases that was introduced in 1953 by an unknown designer. The Bizantino range is often wrongly attributed to designer Dino Martens, who never actually worked for AVEM, due to a mistake in a popular book on Murano glass.

See also: Vetro Artistico Veneziano Glass

AVEM Marks & Labels

Blue AVEM label

Blue AVEM label, reads "AVEM, Made in Italy, Murano".

Red AVEM label

Red AVEM label, reads "AVEM, Made in Italy, Murano".

Red AVEM label

Red AVEM label, reads "Made in Italy, Murano".

Red AVEM label

Red AVEM label with star, reads "Made in Italy, Murano".

Decora Import Label

Blue Decora import label, reads "A Decora Import, Made in Italy, Genuine Venetian Glass From Murano". Very commonly found on AVEM glassware.

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AVEM Zanfirico Glass

AVEM Murano Multicoloured Glass Zanfirico Filigree Vase

A multicoloured glass vase with zanfirico filigree, twisted ribbons and copper aventurine. Made by AVEM, pattern number 11897 (1951).

AVEM Murano Multicoloured Glass Zanfirico Filigree Bowl

A multicoloured glass bowl with zanfirico filigree, twisted ribbons and copper aventurine. Made by AVEM, pattern number 11891 (1951).

AVEM Murano Zanfirico & Copper Aventurine Glass Dish/Bowl

A green and white glass bowl with zanfirico filigree, twisted ribbons and copper aventurine. Made by AVEM, pattern number 11891 (1951).

AVEM Murano Zanfirico & Copper Aventurine Glass Dish/Bowl

A pink and white glass bowl with zanfirico filigree, twisted ribbons and copper aventurine. Made by AVEM, pattern number 11891 (1951).

AVEM Murano Blue & White Glass Zanfirico Posy Bowl / Vase

A blue and white glass bowl with zanfirico filigree, twisted ribbons and gold leaf. Made by AVEM, pattern number 11892 (1951).

A labelled example can be seen here.

AVEM? Murano Zanfirico Blue, Green & White Glass Cornucopia Shell Vase

A blue, green and white glass cornucopia shell shaped vase with zanfirico filigree, twisted ribbons and gold leaf. Possibly made by AVEM.

A similar example, apparently labelled, can be seen here.

AVEM Bizantino Glass

LABELLED AVEM Murano Zanfirico Bizantino / Tutti Frutti Green Glass Bowl

A green and clear cased glass shell shaped ashtray bowl. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series, labelled.

LABELLED AVEM Murano Zanfirico Bizantino / Tutti Frutti Green Glass Bowl

Known AVEM factory label, reads "Made in Italy, Murano".

AVEM LARGE Murano Bizantino / Tutti Frutti Red Glass Waves Bowl

A large red and clear cased glass bowl with curled rim. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Red Glass Vase

A red and clear cased glass mini vase or match holder with two-way crimped rim. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano Zanfirico Bizantino / Tutti Frutti Red Glass Bowl

A red and clear cased glass circular ashtray bowl. Made by AVEM, pattern number 12065/bi8 (1953), part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano Zanfirico Bizantino / Tutti Frutti Red Glass Bowl

A red and clear cased glass square ashtray bowl. Made by AVEM, pattern number 12065/M (1953), part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano Zanfirico Bizantino / Tutti Frutti Red Glass Bowl

A red and clear cased glass ashtray bowl with two way crimped rim. Made by AVEM, pattern number 12065 (1953), part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Green Glass Bowl

A green and clear cased glass ashtray bowl with two way crimped rim. Made by AVEM, pattern number 12065 (1953), part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano Zanfirico & Aventurine Green Tutti Frutti Glass Square Bowl

A green and clear cased glass square shaped ashtray bowl. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano Zanfirico Bizantino / Tutti Frutti White Glass Bowl

A white and clear cased glass square shaped ashtray bowl. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

A labelled example can be seen here.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Red Tutti Frutti Glass Shell Bowl

A red and clear cased glass shell shaped ashtray bowl. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine White Glass Bowl

A white and clear cased glass shell shaped ashtray bowl. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Blue Glass Bowl

A blue and clear cased glass triangle shaped ashtray bowl with three way crimped rim. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano Zanfirico Bizantino / Tutti Frutti Green Glass Tricorn Bowl

A green and clear cased glass triangle shaped ashtray bowl with three way crimped rim. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Green Glass Bowl

A green and clear cased glass triangle shaped ashtray bowl. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano Zanfirico & Aventurine Red Tutti Frutti Glass Leaf Bowl

A red and clear cased glass leaf shaped ashtray bowl. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Red Glass Vase

A large red and clear cased glass vase. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Red Glass Vase

A large red and clear cased glass vase or bowl. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano Zanfirico + Aventurine Red Glass Vase w Label

A red and clear cased glass mini vase or match holder with three-way crimped rim. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series. Has a generic Murano label with cockerel logo.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Green Glass Vase

A green and clear cased glass mini vase or match holder with three-way crimped rim. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Green Glass Vase

A green and clear cased glass mini vase or match holder with multi-crimped rim. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine White Glass Vase

A white and clear cased glass mini vase or match holder with multi-crimped rim. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Green Glass Vase

A green and clear cased glass mini vase or match holder with triangular rim. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

A labelled example of this shape in white can be seen here.

AVEM Murano Zanfirico Bizantino / Tutti Frutti Blue Glass Vase

A blue and clear cased glass mini vase or match holder with triangular rim. Made by AVEM, part of their "Bizantino" series.

AVEM Paperweights

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Glass Paperweight

A multicoloured glass paperweight with zanfirico filigree, twisted ribbons and copper aventurine. Attributed to AVEM.

Commonly found with Decora import labels, as can be seen here.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Glass Paperweight

A multicoloured glass paperweight with zanfirico filigree, twisted ribbons and copper aventurine. Attributed to AVEM.

AVEM Murano 1950's Zanfirico + Aventurine Glass Paperweight

A multicoloured glass paperweight with zanfirico filigree, twisted ribbons and copper aventurine. Attributed to AVEM.

Other AVEM Glass

AVEM Murano Glass Fish Aquarium Block Paperweight

A Murano glass fish aquarium block sculpture. Most likely made by AVEM.

Similar labelled examples can be seen here and here.

AVEM Murano Red & White Silver Leaf Glass Clam Vase

A red and white glass clam shaped bowl with silver leaf inclusions. Made by AVEM, pattern number 13343 (1956).

A labelled example of this design can be seen here.

AVEM Murano Pink & White Silver Leaf Glass Clam Vase & Pearl

A pink and white glass clam shaped bowl with silver leaf inclusions, and matching pearl. Made by AVEM, pattern number 13343 (1956).

AVEM Murano Silver Leaf Cream, White & Red Glass Bowl

A red and creamy white glass ashtray bowl with silver leaf inclusions. Most likely made by AVEM.


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