1960s Italian Empoli Amethyst Purple Glass Brandy Vase

A Study in Violet — Empoli Glass at Its Finest

There is something quietly theatrical about a piece of Empoli glass. This magnificent brandy balloon vase, produced in Italy during the 1960s, captures the full drama of the era's glassmaking tradition — a deep, saturated amethyst purple that shifts from near-black at its base to a luminous violet where light passes through the generous, rounded belly.

Crafted in the Empoli style, the vase features the characteristic thick-walled, hand-blown construction that gives these pieces their distinctive weight and presence. The wide, balloon-shaped body tapers gracefully to a narrow neck with a beautifully scalloped and crimped rim, supported by a clear twisted stem — creating a silhouette that is both sculptural and functional. Equally at home as a statement centrepiece or a vessel for a single dramatic stem.

The colour is exceptional: rich, consistent, and deeply saturated throughout, with none of the fading or cloudiness that can affect lesser examples. This is a piece that commands attention from across a room.

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