Murano glass vase by Gino Cenedese for Burberry
Founded on Murano island in 1946, the Gino Cenedese e Figlio (‘and son’) glass factory has a history of collaborating with artists and designers to produce work of a quality to regularly feature at the Venice Biennale.
While Cenedese’s design partnerships are well known, the factory’s collaborations with brands are less so.
This turquoise vase (left) with parallel gold banding for sale at Midhurst with Ian Parker of Lewes was one of a series made for Burberry in the early 2000s, using the British fashion brand’s own fabric designs, as special edition gifts for important customers.
At Midhurst it was purchased by collectors Flavio and Jane Cereda (above left) for £200. “For me, glass has got to be a limited edition,” Flavio says. “This vase is signed Cenedese, and though I haven’t seen a vase like it before, I did recognise the Burberry check pattern.”
Royal ‘tussie mussie’ a prelude to the Great War
A silver posy holder offered by David Middleton at Midhurst.
The tussie-mussie or posy holder became a fashion accessory during the reign of Queen Victoria (1819-1901).
This silver example has an inscription that sheds light on the changing relations between two adversaries in the First World War. Before political tensions led to the outbreak of in 1914, George V (1865-1936) had warm feelings towards his first cousin, volatile German emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II (1859-1941).
“Three years before the war, relations were still good enough for George V to take him to the theatre,” says David Middleton, who runs D Middleton Antiques with wife Denise.
This tussie-mussie commemorates that event and was possibly given to eminent female guests on arriving at the theatre. The inscription reads Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Command performance, with the date May 17th, 1911. Stamped Maple Ltd, it was for sale at Midhurst by D Middleton Antiques for £175.
