Seguso Vetri d'Arte Submerged Vase, Murano, 1960s

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Description

A sculptural block of sommerso glass, produced in murano, italy, around 1960, attributed to the seguso vetri d'arte factory or … Read more A sculptural block of sommerso glass, produced in murano, italy, around 1960, attributed to the seguso vetri d'arte factory or a related modernist circle. This piece exemplifies post-war venetian research on solid glass with contrasting chromatic layers. The prismatic rectangular form with polished edges expresses the geometric aesthetic of the period, while the contrast between the translucent aqua exterior and the amber-ruby gradations of the inner core creates remarkable optical depth. Sommerso glass—a venetian technique of immersing a colored core in an outer mass through controlled cooling—was the hallmark of murano workshops in the 1950s and 60s. This unsigned piece bears the stylistic characteristics of the modernist movement: absence of superfluous decoration, balanced proportions, and a sophisticated use of color as a structural rather than decorative element. It functions equally well as a freestanding glass sculpture or as a single-flower vase. Historical context: post-war italy saw the emergence of a generation of glassmakers exploring the fusion of art and industrial design. Flavio poli, giorgio barbini, and dino martens developed, in parallel, clean, geometric forms in thick glass, often with aqua/ruby or lemon/black palettes. Precisely attributing unsigned pieces remains complex, as these forms and colors circulated among several murano workshops. This piece, with its robust construction and chromatic balance, testifies to first-rate technical mastery.

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technical details
• designer: attributed to flavio poli or the seguso circle (unsigned)
• manufacturer: seguso vetri d'arte, murano, italy (or nearby production, 1950-1965)
• period: circa 1960
• materials: multilayered sommerso glass (translucent aqua glass, shades of amber, plum, and ruby)
• finish: hand-blown; polished edges; raw (uncoated) surface
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dimensions
• height: 18 cm (7.1 in)
• width: 6 cm (2.36 in)
• depth: 4 cm (1.57 in)
• weight: 1 kg
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condition
excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. Clear, bright glass surface. Stable base with no noticeable wear. Light patina consistent with age (circa 1960). All parts are original; no restoration or alterations are detectable.
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