Lino Tagliapietra, Italian Glass Master at Sunbeam Glass
Lino Tagliapietra was born in Murano in 1934, and has a long career as a maestro in making glass. Significantly, through his connection with Dale Chihuhly, he fostered the process of sharing the Muranesi glass making skills, until then closely guarded secrets, with the wider world. Lino taught at Pilchuck in Washington in 1979, and undertook teaching, classes and demonstrations in many parts of the world. In 1990 Garry Nash and NZSAG arranged for Lino to give a masterclass at Garry's Sunbeam Glass studio in Ponsonby. I was thrilled to have an opportunity to visit one of the sessions at Garry's invitation. Lino made a number of pieces during his time here, and I was delighted recently to be able to add one of those to my collection after it was offered on TradeMe. This dolphin goblet is a classic example of Venetian glass making, but it is signed Lino Tagliapietra NZ 90. It's made in clear glass, but the eyes are red murrini with white centres. It's ju...