Italian pressed glass ice bucket with metal handle, 1970s

Italian ice bucket from the 1970s, combining pressed glass with a metal handle in a form characteristic of Italian Modern design. This piece represents an era when even everyday objects were crafted with visual impact in mind. The transparent glass and silver metal create an elegant contrast that has remained relevant since the seventies. The construction centres on a cylindrical pressed glass vessel, its transparency showcasing the contents while complementing the temperature of stored ice cubes. The metal handle crowns the piece, serving both practical and decorative functions: it enables comfortable carrying and lends the bucket the character of a refined bar accessory. The proportions are restrained: a height of fourteen centimetres and diameter of twelve centimetres make the object handy yet sufficiently capacious. The 1970s in Italy marked a period when the boundary between industrial design and applied art became almost entirely blurred. Italian glass manufacturers and producers of household accessories competed not merely on quality of execution but primarily on inventiveness of form. Ice buckets, shakers, decanters – these elements of the home bar became a field for material and formal experimentation, responding to the growing popularity of cocktail culture in European households. This ice bucket works beautifully as part of a home bar setup or on a coffee table during gatherings. Its compact dimensions allow placement even on a small bar tray, while the classic form harmonises with both mid-century inspired interiors and contemporary minimalism. Condition is good, with no significant flaws. Ready for use.