Glas Italia - Pag. 15

For over 50 years, Glas Italia has been an international benchmark in crystal furniture design. Founded in 1970 in Macherio, in the province of Monza and Brianza, Italy, the company has masterfully blended the purity and transparency of crystal with design creativity, crafting products of unique value. Glas Italia is more than just a brand, it's an embodiment of Italian artisanal excellence that merges tradition with innovation. Each piece is an art masterpiece, narrating a tale and celebrating the beauty of crystal.

Glas Italia, Origins and Brand History

The company's roots can be traced back to the 1950s, a time when the visionary founder, Antonio Ratti, began experimenting with crystal to transform domestic spaces. Hailing from a lineage of expert glassmakers, his passion for the clarity and purity of crystal marked the dawn of a new design era. Ratti initially ventured into crafting everyday objects like glasses and plates from crystal. Yet, his vision transcended the ordinary. By the 1970s, Ratti embarked on collaborations with internationally renowned designers like Marcel Wanders, Philippe Starck, and the Bouroullec brothers. These partnerships catalyzed the company's growth, enabling Glas Italia to carve out a unique aesthetic language that bridges artisan tradition with modern aesthetics. Additionally, Ratti's sailing enthusiasm often translated into crafting sea-inspired crystal objects. These creations epitomize Glas Italia's fervor for crystal and nature's beauty.

Glas Italia, Collections and Design

Glas Italia boasts a diverse array of crystal products, including tables, mirrors, chairs, and complements. Each distinctively features elegant and sophisticated design suitable for any interior style. The highlight of every product is a design that magnifies elegance and sophistication, emphasizing the unique properties of crystal. With the expertise of globally renowned designers like Patricia Urquiola and Piero Lissoni, Glas Italia has sculpted collections that stand as testaments to creativity and innovation, making every piece a self-contained masterpiece. Their relentless commitment to design excellence has garnered numerous accolades. In 2023, the high table SIMOON, designed by Patricia Urquiola, clinched the esteemed EDIDA award in the Furniture category. Moreover, in 2020, the company secured two prestigious awards: the NYCxDesign Award for Sharazade Patchwork and the 2020 Design Award courtesy of Patricia Urquiola's Bisel series of side tables, desks, and tables. Such recognitions accentuate the unyielding pursuit of novel forms and materials by Glas Italia's designers, reinforcing the brand's passion and prominence in contemporary design.

Glas Italia, Materials and Finishes

Glas Italia's commitment to material selection is unambiguous. Employing Sodo-Calcic crystal, derived using the age-old mouth-blowing technique, the company assures products with unparalleled brightness and luster. This method, demanding artisanal skill and expertise, bestows the crystal with a unique and irregular finish, amplifying its innate beauty. Furthermore, Glas Italia provides an extensive assortment of available finishes, allowing for tailored customization of each piece. For instance, the matte finish imparts the crystal with a softer, velvety appearance, while the satin finish induces a more luminous and reflective effect. The acid-etched finish, on the other hand, creates a scratched and irregular impression, giving the crystal a more contemporary look. Such finishes can be employed to craft distinct and characteristic products, apt for any decor style.