Sinuous furniture, statuesque lighting, and sensuous sculptures define the creations of the family team of father Michele and his twin son and daughter Domenico and Martina Ghiro, known as Ghiró Studio. Incollect sat down with the family to explore how they are setting themselves apart by melding inventive ideas with traditional techniques and craftsmanship.



by Benjamin Genocchio




Congratulations on your new showroom on the 10th floor in the New York Design Center. What made you decide to have a showroom in New York?

We knew about the NYDC at 200 Lexington Avenue because design dealer Paul Donzella, who showed our work in New York, moved his gallery into that building and we went to visit him several times. When we learned about the possibility of having our own gallery space on the 10th floor we immediately decided to have a showroom that was ours alone and to be part of Incollect. Given the rarity and the particularity of our artisanal work in glass, we thought it would be best to establish direct relationships with interior designers and clients.



In this table, we see an example of the sort of design considerations that make each Ghiró piece a work of art. The negative space created by the voids between the legs is as much a part of the design as the form itself. The studio-built “Artide” low table has hand-carved glass panels set into brass framing, and colored with a unique iridescent treatment. Irregularly shaped brass legs protrude through the top, creating abstract triangular surface details. From a limited edition of 12, plus 2 artist proofs. Available through Donzella at the New York Design Center. Photo: Josh Gaddy/Donzella Ltd.



How has this worked out for you?

Very well, thank you. We opened our showroom on September 19, 2023, and have received a number of orders and commissions for customized products. We are very happy and are sure we made the right choice.



Do you have showrooms elsewhere or work through dealers internationally?

Our headquarters is in Milan where we have both our workshop and a public showroom. We also sell items internationally through retailers, in particular gallerists including, in America, Paul Donzella and Van den Akker, and in Europe, 88 Gallery in London. We have also worked with Incollect dealers such as Lost City Arts in New York and Charles Burnand in London.



What is your best-selling design?

Among our best-selling pieces are the ‘Martina’ mirror, the ‘Amber Eye’ sculpture, and the ‘Conchiglia’ wall sconces. But there are many popular pieces.



‘Amore’ set of two hand-engraved lilac glass coffee tables are exactly opposite boomerang shapes, but different heights for creative positioning — nested, barely overlapping, or wholly apart. Composed of puzzle-pieced glass sections, each one embellished with geometric sunburst engraving on the underside to create luminous reflections. The polished brass structure adds a warm glow. Available through Incollect.com and The Gallery at 200 Lex in the New York Design Center.



How is your work different from other contemporary artisanal Italian glassmakers?

We differ from other artisanal glassmakers for several reasons. Firstly, because we work with machinery and tools from the 1950s, and some even from the late 1940s, to shape, grind, and polish glass to different degrees. This type of machinery allows us to employ traditional techniques that rely entirely on manual skills, leaving far more room for individual creativity and skill in what we do. Today, new machinery and tools for glass are designed to be more precise and faster, leaving a lot less room for artisanal creativity and art.


We also differ from other contemporary makers because we have a lifetime of experience in this line of work thanks to Michele, who is a master glassmaker and handed down the techniques and secrets of this profession. Thanks to him, Domenico has the support, experience, and skills to be able to experiment with techniques and finishes that at this point in his career — he is 31 years old — he could not hope to master working on his own.


The third reason we are different from others is because to our way of viewing we present a very personal vision for interior furnishings which is our unique and recognizable style, made and controlled all by us. Nowadays, it is very rare to be able to conceive, design, and create a product on your own. Most, if not almost all, glass craftsmen carry out the designs of other designers, artists, and architects on a commission basis. Our ideas combined with our machinery and expert craftsmanship allow us to create unique pieces and distinguish ourselves from others in this field. 



A selection of Gihró Studio’s hand-crafted mirrors from top left:  ‘Martina’ circular mirror of hand-cut panels of pale aquamarine crystal alternating with thin blue glass fins fitted with brass mounts and surround. Created exclusively for Donzella and available at the New York Design Center. Photo: Josh Gaddy/Donzella Ltd. Center: ‘Martelè’ oval mirror in hand-sculpted crystal tiles with sparkling diamond-like deep and intricate reflections. This is a unique 1/1 piece. Available through Incollect.com and The Gallery at 200 Lex in the New York Design Center. Bottom: The hand-formed silver crystal waves of the ‘Undulate’ mirror are a synthesis of the expert craftsmanship and innovative creativity of Ghiró Studio. Glass is heated and curved in a process that is simultaneously freeform in artistry and exacting in execution, then ground and polished to a mirror finish to create fascinating abstract reflections. Available through Incollect.com and The Gallery at 200 Lex in the New York Design Center.


Right: The ‘Olympia’ floor lamps are made with rare vintage 1960s glass ground and polished entirely by hand. Two sections of glass, front and back, form the base and are framed in 24-karat polished gold-plated brass. The glass is tapered in shape and thickness, ground to graduate from base to top, so the color and diffusion of light also graduate from bottom to top. The bowl at the top nests a sandblasted glass inner bowl that contains the lamping and acts as a diffuser. The set of two unique pieces, elegant, modern classics, and will never be reissued. Available through Incollect.com and The Gallery at 200 Lex in the New York Design Center.



What is Michele’s background? Where did he learn to work with glass?

Michele began working in the atelier of Italian glass artist Giorgio Berlini, who, in the 1960s, collaborated with Salvador Dali, Piero Fornasetti, and many others. Michele eventually took over Berlini’s business and established his own studio in 2004 to continue traditional glass-making techniques, collaborating with Barnaba Fornasetti, Roberto Rida, and others. In 2014 Michele closed the business and the very same year moved his operation to its present, larger location, establishing Ghiró Studio.



So, Domenico, when did you start working with your father?

I was just 17. I would go to the studio every day to learn. When my father closed his business it seemed to me such a shame. I didn’t want all his amazing knowledge and the old glass-making techniques to be lost, so I asked him to help reimagine a family studio, focusing on contemporary furniture design, lighting, and artistic commissions, incorporating his knowledge and technical mastery.



One of Ghiró Studio’s most popular designs, the ‘Conchiglie’ (shell) sconce comes in three sizes and can be used individually or in combination to create a sculptural wall light arrangement. Crafted in extra-light and satin white hand-curved crystal, hand-carved on the back side to create directional beams of light. By day the sconces are a refined adornment, in the evening the extraordinary play of light reflected on the wall creates a magical atmosphere. Available through Incollect.com and The Gallery at 200 Lex in the New York Design Center.



And what about you, Martina?

Domenico and I are partners of the Ghiró company. I’ve also been involved in the business now for a few years. My brother Domenico mainly deals with the creative part, glass design, and processing, while I deal more with the commercial part, sales, and customer relations. I like to participate in the creative part, proposing ideas and helping my brother in every phase of work. Our father is retired now but he is always present in the studio.



Where do you get your glass?

Our creations are made from two kinds of materials: blocks or rocks of glass taken from glass-making factories, the cooled slag glass that is left over in factory kilns, as well as old and new slabs of plate or sheet glass. Nowadays glass blocks are difficult to find, in fact, the ones we use come from our private collection we have accumulated over the years. As for sheet glass, we purchase it directly from the manufacturers but are always on the lookout for slabs of thicknesses and colors that are not available or produced nowadays.



15 hand-engraved crystal elements make up the “Tortuga” wall light sculpture, whose shape recalls an abstract vision of a turtle. Satin finish 24-karat gold-plated arrowhead-shaped attachments secure the crystal segments to the dimmable light structure. Available through Incollect.com and The Gallery at 200 Lex in the New York Design Center.




How do you work the glass?

To be clear, we do not blow glass and we do not work with molten glass. We sometimes use ovens to shape glass at high temperatures. Very often we create our own molds to give the glass the shape we desire in the oven. The block glass is just endlessly ground and polished to get the forms we want. Our objects are achieved by shaping, carving, polishing, and grinding.



Tell us about the process of design. How do you begin designing an object?

It all starts with an idea, which is then put into practice through drawings and prototypes, after which we move on to the choice of materials, the study of finishes, the most suitable manufacturing techniques, and in-depth studies of functionality. We try and try again, gradually continuing to modify until we arrive at the final result. For example, our “Undulate” wavy mirror was created thanks to multiple attempts at cooking and bending the glass until exactly the right curvature was obtained. Although we all have defined roles, our process is based on teamwork in all phases.



What about your biomorphic sculptural forms?

Some of our works are made completely differently, yes, that’s correct — there is no planning there. To create sculpture we work directly and instinctively on a rough block of glass, letting ourselves be carried away by the material and creativity and working in the moment. Domenico says during the creation process: “Until an object speaks to me it is not finished”. This is to say that an object is not finished if, when you look at it, it does not convey something to you.





The underside of the “Ambra” coffee table is hand-engraved in a sunburst configuration, creating intense golden reflections in the amber glass. Polished 24-karat gold-plated brass legs and a drop-shaped top play up a pleasing contrast of angular and rounded shapes. The table can be ordered in custom colors and sizes. Available through Incollect.com and The Gallery at 200 Lex in the New York Design Center.

Do you work with assistants?

We currently have no assistants. Michele has retired, but since this work is his greatest passion, he continues to give ideas and follow production in the studio. He is our major helper and support in all areas.



How many pieces can you produce a year? How big is the business these days?

There is no precise limit for production, it all depends on the complexity of the creations. Being a niche product and above all entirely artisanal, we cannot aspire to industrial-scale production — and don’t want to — but we are happy to report that we have the capacity to make quite a lot of objects annually if it is needed.





Captivating and hypnotic, Ghiró Studio’s hand-engraved “Eye” sculpture casts radiant jewel-like reflections. Set with prongs in a 24-karat gold-plated brass frame and stand, we imagine this placed to capture a special view through the open center. The Eye is offered in amber, bronze, soft pink, midnight blue, and black, and custom colors and sizes can be ordered. Available through Incollect.com and The Gallery at 200 Lex in the New York Design Center.

How much of your work is commission-based these days?

About 50% percent of our production is commissions. One of our strengths is the ability to customize every creation we offer in different sizes, colors, and materials, satisfying every customer’s needs.



Tell us about some of your biggest, most important commissions.

The biggest commissions we have received so far are from Dubai. We created over 300 ‘Wave’ sculptures for a private event. For a hotel, we also created a lighting system and two mirrors over five meters in diameter each.



Is your work more art or design or somewhere in between?

Our product is a perfect combination of art and design. We have a modern, elegant, and international vision that shines through in each of our creations. We are guided by our creativity and the desire to always outdo ourselves with new creations.



Where is the biggest market for your designs?

Thanks to e-commerce, Incollect, social media, the New York Design Center, and gallery owners who promote our products, we sell in every part of the world but at the moment America represents our most important market.




Discover More From Ghiró Studio on Incollect