Lot 99: Thomas Stearns for Venini, an 'Incalmo' welded

Thomas Stearns for Venini, an 'Incalmo' welded glass cylindrical vase, designed in 1962, in green, clear and anthracite bands, three-line acid stamp 'Venini Murano Italia', 25cm high Provenance: From the estate of Peter Barker-Mill (1908-1994). From just before the Second World War he and his wife, Caroline (d. 2007) lived at Wookey House, Wookey Hole, near Wells, Somerset which was decorated in the avant-garde style of time. According to The Times of September 5, 2008 'During the 1960s and 1970s the Barker-Mills were at the forefront of the UK arts scene, hosting large parties for their creative friends. During this time many of these came to stay for long periods. One Polish painter, Tadeusz Piotr Potworowski, lived for many months in the outhouse'. Barker-Mill was an abstract artist in oil, gouache, wood engraving and sculpture. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Arnolfini Gallery in Bristol in the early sixties