Mid-Century Murano Style Cased Handkerchief Bowl With Gold Aventurine

Details

Description

Originally sourced from a New York flea market in the late 1990s, the hand-blown art glass handkerchief bowl featured here … Read more Originally sourced from a New York flea market in the late 1990s, the hand-blown art glass handkerchief bowl featured here is an excellent example of mid-to-late 20th-century artisan glasswork.

Surprisingly well-weighted, the interior of the dish features a rich, mottled dusty rose or mauve spatter pattern, brilliantly elevated by suspended faint flecks of gold (avventurina) that capture the light and create a subtle, sophisticated shimmer in person. Using the classic Italian incamiciato (cased) technique, this shimmering interior layer is fused over a dense, opaque white milk glass exterior.

The fluid, wavy, and organic "fazzoletto" (handkerchief) ruffles showcase the glassmaker’s mastery over centrifugal movement. The underside features a completely smooth, polished ground pontil scar—a hallmark of authentic hand-sculpted art glass.

Based on the highly specific pairing of dense cased glass (incamiciato), heavy-handed gold aventurine (avventurina), and asymmetrical handkerchief folds, the evidence suggests this could be the work of A.V.E.M. (Arte Vetraria Muranese) which is legendary for their mid-century Artefillo and Campagnolo series, (a body of work which heavily utilized dense, opaque white backings layered with heavily saturated, mottled spatter glass.) Of equal or greater importance, A.V.E.M. masters routinely produced thick, heavy, organic handkerchief bowls with substantial "heft." They were incredibly generous with their use of coarse gold aventurine flecks to add a metallic, starry depth to their colored glass layers.

Versatile Styling
With its striking contrast between the clean white exterior and the warm, sparkling interior, this sculptural piece operates beautifully as a decorative centerpiece, an elegant catchall for jewelry, or a functional vanity trinket dish. It integrates seamlessly into Mid-Century Modern, Post-Modern, Hollywood Regency, or eclectic contemporary interiors.

Dimensions: 6.25ʺW × 5.5ʺD × 2ʺH

Condition: Excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks, or flea bites. Wear consistent with age and gentle use. Smooth, polished base.

Period: Circa 1960s – 1970s

Styles: Mid-Century Modern, Italian, Hollywood Regency

Condition Details
Excellent vintage condition with no visible chips, cracks, or structural defects. The underside features a professionally polished, smooth ground pontil consistent with production methods. Exceptionally clean and ready for display. See less