Polychrome Murano Glass Flush Mount from Archimede Seguso, Italy, 1940

Details

Description

An exceptional and entirely original ceiling light designed by Archimede Seguso for Seguso Vetri d’Arte and produced in Murano in … Read more An exceptional and entirely original ceiling light designed by Archimede Seguso for Seguso Vetri d’Arte and produced in Murano in 1940. The fixture is composed of numerous individually handcrafted glass flowers arranged in dense, overlapping layers to form a luminous circular bouquet. Each flower features deeply modelled petals with pronounced radial ribbing and softly undulating edges, centred by a contrasting jewel-like application of coloured glass. Its extraordinarily refined polychrome palette combines rose pink, amethyst, cobalt blue, pale aquamarine, citrine yellow, delicate green and subtle smoky tones. The colours are neither flat nor uniform: each flower contains natural variations in density and transparency created during the hand-working of the molten glass. These nuances allow the composition to change continuously with the light, revealing different tones when viewed from below, from the side or when illuminated. This distinctive chromatic combination is associated with the early 1940 production and differentiates the present example from later interpretations of the design. The quality, depth and remarkable clarity of the Murano glass are immediately evident, as is the sophisticated balance of colours achieved across the entire composition. The flowers are mounted upon the original shallow, basket-shaped metal framework, whose gently curved profile gives the fixture volume without making it visually heavy. The open mesh and radiating internal structure allow light to pass through the many layers of coloured glass, creating a warm, vibrant glow and projecting subtle reflections onto the surrounding ceiling. When switched off, the piece reads as a suspended glass sculpture; when illuminated, the overlapping flowers acquire an extraordinary luminosity, with the coloured centres appearing like small precious stones within the composition. The ceiling light has been exceptionally well preserved and remains entirely original. The glass elements, internal metal framework, screws, fittings and electrical components are all original to the period. The metal retains its authentic aged surface and patina, providing important material evidence of the fixture’s history and integrity. A particularly rare discovery, this example combines the expressive freedom of Archimede Seguso’s early artistic production with the exceptional technical quality for which Seguso Vetri d’Arte became internationally celebrated. The fixture retains its original electrical components. As with all vintage lighting, professional inspection and rewiring according to contemporary local electrical standards are recommended prior to installation. Professional rewiring for use in the United States This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution,
Up to 250V (Europe/UK Standard).The wiring of this item may be original and might need replacement, if not specified otherwise. See less