Cesare Toffolo is considered by many to be the world’s finest technical flameworker.
Toffolo was born into a family of well-known Muranese glassblowers and started lampworking in his father’s studio when he was 15. Working in collaboration with such famous glasshouses as Venini, Fratelli Toso, Barovier & Toso, and La Murrina, he developed a distinctive style that was both traditionally Venetian and modern.
In this video, Toffolo makes a simple footed bowl and an intricate historical goblet. He hosts a brief tour of flameworked objects in the collection of The Corning Museum of Glass, and he shares his philosophy of teaching, learning, and creating glass.
The video was produced at The Studio, where Toffolo is a popular instructor.
Produced from 1998 to 2014, each video in The Studio’s Master Class Series presents a portrait of an artist and teaches a glassworking technique. Until now, these 30-minute videos have only been available on DVD.