This is a truly perfect example of a transitional design, demonstrating the best of the Novecento styling seen in the traditional "Verde" Empoli of the 1920's & 30's while employing the opaque layered (cased) technique more closely associated with 1950's production. With or without handles, this ancient form is known as a "tazza," or as the Italians call it, a 'standing bowl." In 15th century Venice the shape was known to be made. By some accounts the form goes back to hollow footed Islamic bowls made in Syria in the early 14th century.

Of course, over the centuries, styles and uses blend and are adapted. Going back in tiem well over a millennia, Greeks used a wide shallow cup as a vessel fro imbibing wine, called a kylix. Later, in 18th century England, a variant of the form was popularized as 'comport' from the French term "compotier" and was used as a table center for fruit or sweet meats. By any standard this is a shape that has stood the test of time and found many important ceremonial and daily uses in many cultures.

More immediately this particular example, from Empoli, circa 1950's, was quite possibly influenced by the work of Artisti Barovier of Murano. In 1895 Barovier presented a tour-de-force tazza (or as the company called it, goblet) at an important exhibition associated with Venice's first Biennale. The featherweight goblet's stem was made of an impossibly thin spring-like coil of glass. Only one example of this renowned design remains in existence at the Museo Vetrario.

Though by no means attempting to copy that virtuoso feat of glassblowing, this compote is no less a sculpture. This is driven home by the large decorative fruit sitting in the bowl; this is not to be used, it is an objet d'art to be admired for its beauty and its link to history.