Sommerso vase in Murano glass, Italy, circa 1960-1970

Sommerso vase in Murano glass crafted according to the traditional technique of superimposing layers of molten glass, requiring complete mastery of hot working. This method achieves a depth of material and an optical density of particular note, hallmarks of the great Murano productions of the twentieth century. The smoked amethyst hue, encased within a thick mass of clear glass, creates a subtle interplay of transparency and depth. The design is accentuated by an architectural facetting with taut, crisp lines, lending the piece a pronounced sculptural presence. This vase belongs to the great tradition of formal experimentation pursued in Murano during the 1960s and 1970s, a period in which glass came to be regarded as a genuine material for architecture and sculpture, beyond its merely decorative function. Perfect condition. No chips or nibbles. Murano—Italy, twentieth century, circa 1960-1970