Mid-Century Murano Sommerso Faceted Art Glass Vase in Uranium and Amethyst by Flavio Poli, 1960

Details

Description

A tall, block-cut profile defines this faceted art glass vase, worked with crisp bevelled edges and flat polished planes. The … Read more A tall, block-cut profile defines this faceted art glass vase, worked with crisp bevelled edges and flat polished planes. The vessel is formed from heavy solid glass with an inverted teardrop interior cavity, designed in a sleek geometric column that stands 13 cm tall and measures 4 cm wide across its square footprint. The composition relies on the classic sommerso technique, in which contrasting coloured layers are submerged within clear or tinted crystal. At the centre sits an elongated core of rich amethyst purple glass, bordered by a slender transitional layer of citrine yellow. This inner pairing is encased entirely in a thick outer jacket of vibrant emerald green glass, producing sharp optical reflections as light travels through the cut corners and flat exterior surfaces. Dating probably from the 1960s, pieces of this geometric character are strongly associated with Venetian glasshouses on Murano, most notably the cold-cut faceted work popularised by workshops such as Alessandro Mandruzzato and designs connected to Flavio Poli. While unsigned and bearing no workshop label, the clean wheel-cut faceting, flat ground rim and neatly polished base reflect traditional Italian workshop craftsmanship. The flat top rim is cut straight and polished flat to reveal the rectangular mouth leading into the tapered reservoir, suitable for a single stem or displaying purely as an abstract glass sculpture. The solid weight in the base provides stability despite the tall, slender proportions. See less