FontanaArte Cartoccio Small Vase, Hand-Folded Satin Glass by Pietro Chiesa, 7.8 in

The FontanaArte Cartoccio Small vase is a 7.8 in (20 cm) satin glass vase for shelves, nightstands, coffee tables, bathroom counters and café tables, where a short arrangement or a single bloom looks best. It is the compact member of the Cartoccio family: a sheet of natural satin glass heated and folded by hand into a small bowl with a soft, rippling rim. The frosted glass glows in daylight, and because each piece is folded manually, every vase has its own slightly different outline.

Quick facts

• Product: Cartoccio Small vase in satin glass
• Brand: FontanaArte, Milan, Italy
• Item number (MPN): F2910VA100OP10
• Type: Small decorative glass vase and bud vase
• Best for: shelves, nightstands, coffee tables, desks, bathroom vanities, café and restaurant tables, hotel rooms and reception counters
• Height: 7.8 in (20 cm), from the maker's drawing
• Material: natural satin glass, hot-folded from a single sheet
• Making: shaped by hand; no two pieces are exactly alike
• Finish: Transparent (frosted satin surface)
• Sizes in the family: Small 7.8 in (20 cm), Large 11.8 in (30 cm)
• Designer: Pietro Chiesa (1932)
• Styles: Modern, Contemporary, Minimalist, Scandinavian, Transitional

Materials and build

Like every Cartoccio, the Small is made by hot folding. A flat sheet of glass is heated until it softens, then folded by hand into an open cone, which is what the Italian word cartoccio describes: a paper cone twisted around a handful of sweets or chestnuts. The Small uses natural satin glass, a frosted finish that diffuses light and shows pale green at the folded edges.

Because the vase is formed by hand rather than pressed in a mould, its rim and folds vary slightly from piece to piece, which FontanaArte describes as what makes each one unique.

Size and placement

At 7.8 in (20 cm), the Small is ideal where a taller vase would feel crowded: a bookshelf, a bedside table, a desk, a bathroom counter or the centre of a small round table. On a coffee table it stays low enough not to block the view across the seating group.

Keep arrangements short and loose: a few garden roses, sweet peas, ranunculus or herbs, or a single dramatic bloom. Several Smalls in a row make a soft centrepiece along a long dining table, and it pairs naturally with the 11.8 in Cartoccio Large for a two-height group.

Where it works

Bedrooms and bathrooms. On a nightstand or vanity it brings a quiet, glowing accent and a few fresh stems without taking much space.

Living rooms and studies. On shelves, coffee tables and desks it adds a hand-made, sculptural note between books and objects.

Hotels and restaurants. On guest-room desks, café tables and reception counters, a small Cartoccio with a single flower gives a refined, consistent touch across many tables.

Boutiques and spas. Its frosted glass and soft form suit calm, light-filled retail and wellness spaces.

Style and pairing

The Cartoccio Small fits Modern, Contemporary, Minimalist and Scandinavian interiors and adds warmth to Transitional rooms. White satin glass reads strongly on dark wood, olive or charcoal lacquer and deep painted walls, and quietly on pale oak or marble. Group it with ceramics in darker tones, with the Cartoccio Large, or with the clear Cartoccio Q for contrast between frosted and transparent glass.

Why choose the Cartoccio Small

• Folded by hand from one sheet of glass, so each vase is unique.
• Compact 7.8 in height for shelves, nightstands and small tables.
• Natural satin glass that glows softly in natural light.
• Lovely with a single bloom or a loose handful of stems.
• A 1932 design by Pietro Chiesa, master glassmaker and co-founder of FontanaArte.

Care

Wash by hand in warm water with a mild detergent and a soft sponge; avoid the dishwasher and abrasive cleaners, which can mark the satin finish. Avoid sudden temperature changes. Dry with a lint-free cloth, and remove any water marks with a short soak in water and white vinegar. Use a felt pad underneath on delicate surfaces.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is the FontanaArte Cartoccio Small vase? It is 7.8 in (20 cm) tall, according to FontanaArte's drawing.

What is it made of? Natural satin glass, hot-folded from a single sheet.

Is it handmade? Yes. Each vase is folded by hand, so no two are exactly alike.

Is it blown glass? No. It is made by heating and folding a flat sheet of glass, not by glassblowing.

Is it good as a bud vase? Yes. Its compact size suits a single bloom or a short, loose bunch of flowers or herbs.

Where does it fit best? On shelves, nightstands, desks, coffee tables, vanities and small café or restaurant tables.

Does it hold water? Yes, it can be used with water for fresh flowers.

Can I use several together? Yes. A row of Smalls makes a low centrepiece along a dining table, and it pairs with the Cartoccio Large.

Is it dishwasher safe? Hand washing is recommended to protect the satin finish.

Will mine look exactly like the photos? Not exactly. The folding is done by hand, so each vase varies slightly.

Who designed it? Pietro Chiesa, in 1932, for FontanaArte.

Trade & project orders

Interior designers, architects and hospitality buyers can join the MetropolitanDecor trade program for trade pricing. We also prepare quotes for multi-unit and project orders; contact us with your quantities.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.