Murano Sommerso Duck in Alexandrite Glass from Fratelli Toso, 1960s

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A vintage Murano glass duck sculpture, attributed to the furnace of Fratelli Toso, and likely produced for export during the … Read more A vintage Murano glass duck sculpture, attributed to the furnace of Fratelli Toso, and likely produced for export during the 1960s. Formed using the sommerso technique, a vibrant red core is encased within a lilac matrix of neodymium glass—a material often referred to as alexandrite glass due to its characteristic colour-shifting properties. The glass appears lilac in natural light, but under cooler, fluorescent tones, it reveals a distinct cyan hue. This subtle chromatic shift lends the piece a dynamic quality that changes with its surroundings—a feature prized in mid-century Murano sommerso work. Sculpturally expressive, the piece features a sharply arched neck and stylised crest, resting on a moulded, scalloped base typical of mid-century production destined for the American and European markets. In very good vintage condition, with minor signs of age. Measures approximately 23 cm tall, 8 cm wide, and 10 cm deep. A distinctive object for collectors of Venetian art glass, particularly those drawn to colour-reactive materials, figural forms, or the glassmaking traditions of Murano’s post-war era. See less