Mid-century lighting by Dino Martens (Italy)

In the 1950s, Dino Martens was one of the leading innovative glass artists in Murano, Italy. He was born in Venice in 1894 and studied painting at the Academia di Belle Arti in Venice from c1918 - 1924. After completing his painting studies, he worked freelance for more than 10 years as a painter and designer of hollow glass and mosaics for a number of companies including S.A.L.I.R. and Salviati. In the late 1930s he was appointed artistic director and head designer of Aureliano Toso glassworks in Murano. His design creativity in composition and use of colour was set free. By 1948 he had already designed his first patchwork Zanfirici In subtle colours as well as the Oriente In strong colours. His pieces were often characterised by striking asymmetric form. He continued designing for Aureliano Toso until the early sixties.