Mid-Century Italian Sommerso Art Glass Vase in Amber, Olive Green, Cobalt & Clear

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A striking vintage Italian sommerso art glass vase distinguished by dramatic layers of amber, cobalt blue, smoky olive, and clear … Read more A striking vintage Italian sommerso art glass vase distinguished by dramatic layers of amber, cobalt blue, smoky olive, and clear glass. Encased within a substantial layer of crystal, the overlapping colors create beautiful depth, refraction, and shifting optical effects as the piece is viewed from different angles.

The sculptural rounded-cube form has a wonderful sense of weight and presence despite its relatively compact scale. Its thick walls, polished surface, and carefully controlled layers of contrasting color reflect the sophisticated glassmaking techniques associated with Murano's celebrated sommerso tradition, in which differently colored layers of glass are encased within clear crystal.

Dating approximately to the 1970s–1980s, the vase is hand-blown and hand-finished and works equally well as a functional vessel or as a freestanding sculptural object. The rich amber and smoky olive tones are particularly beautiful against the flashes of deep cobalt, while the clear outer casing magnifies and distorts the colors beneath.

An excellent addition to a collection of Italian art glass, Mid-Century Modern design, or 20th-century decorative arts, and particularly striking displayed where natural light can illuminate the layered glass.

The vase measures approximately 4 inches high × 3.5 inches wide. See less