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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Murano & Italy Glass => Topic started by: pcmendy on May 30, 2005, 12:12:06 AM

Title: Where is Barbini?
Post by: pcmendy on May 30, 2005, 12:12:06 AM

My wife and I just returned from a trip to Italy and a wonderful visit to Murano. We had an excellent tour of the Cendese glass factory. We were watching a glass blower work on an inticate piece and were told by our tour guide that this was the master Alfredo Barbini. Upon further research it seems that Barbini did work at the Cenedese furnace in the early 1950's, but soon after formed his own glassworks. However, it seems that the address of his glassworks is the same as that of Cendese. Does anyone know if Barbini is still actually working at the Cenedese furnace?

Paul C. Mendelowitz, MD

Title: Where is Barbini?
Post by: Laura Friedman on May 31, 2005, 04:27:14 PM

Barbini is still alive, but as he was born in 1912, I don't think he is doing much glass work these days.  Could it have been his son Flavio Barbini you saw? He was born in 1948 and I believe is still active.

Title: Where is Barbini?
Post by: Leni on May 31, 2005, 04:39:02 PM

Quote from: "Laura Friedman"

Sure would be. Barbini is still alive, but as he was born in 1912, I don't think he is doing much glass work these days.  Could it have been his son Flavio Barbini you saw? He was born in 1948 and I believe is still active.

Acording to the Galleria Marina Barovier's biog of Alfredo Barbini, he still works in the glasshouse, assisted by his son Flavio   :shock:  

Leni

Title: Where is Barbini?
Post by: svazzo on June 02, 2005, 05:54:04 PM

I believe I read that it is not only his son, but his daugther also has taken part in the business!
Javier

Title: Barbini at Work
Post by: pcmendy on June 17, 2005, 02:04:34 AM

Thanks to all for your feedback. Here are some photos of (supposedly) Barbini at work in the Cenedese Glass works on Murano:

http://tinypic.com/5zpa20 (http://tinypic.com/5zpa20)

http://tinypic.com/5zpag0 (http://tinypic.com/5zpag0)

and their showroom:

http://tinypic.com/5zpapz (http://tinypic.com/5zpapz)

http://tinypic.com/5zpc7d (http://tinypic.com/5zpc7d)

Mod: amazingly one Tinypic has survived!

Title: Where is Barbini?
Post by: Anonymous on June 17, 2005, 07:00:40 AM

Are you sure you weren't at the Cenedese factory, not Barbini. The third photo is of Cenedese's items.

Laura F.

Title: Where is Barbini?
Post by: pcmendy on June 17, 2005, 09:02:55 PM

You are correct, these photos are from the Cenedese factory. In my initial post, my inquiry concerns Barbini, whom we were told was working at Cenedese. Now I understand that Barbini is quite elderly and there is a father, a son and I assume many cousins and nephews, so i have no idea who is who. But the glass is gorgeous and I suppose that's what really matters.

Here is the full text of the Barbini bio that was referenced above,
Sorry for omitting the reference. I found it at:
http://www.barovier.it/novecento/barbini/alb_intro.htm

This is the Barovier biography referenced earlier in the thread.

Here are additional photos of the Cenedese factory and showroom:

http://tinypic.com/65ubuc

http://tinypic.com/65uc80