Murano Glass 1950s Italian Murano Ruby Red Sommerso, Bullicante and Pulled Art Glass Lamp Base
Murano Glass 1950s Italian Murano Ruby Red Sommerso, Bullicante and Pulled Art Glass Lamp Base
Murano Glass 1950s Italian Murano Ruby Red Sommerso, Bullicante and Pulled Art Glass Lamp Base
Murano Glass 1950s Italian Murano Ruby Red Sommerso, Bullicante and Pulled Art Glass Lamp Base
Murano Glass 1950s Italian Murano Ruby Red Sommerso, Bullicante and Pulled Art Glass Lamp Base
Murano Glass 1950s Italian Murano Ruby Red Sommerso, Bullicante and Pulled Art Glass Lamp Base
Murano Glass 1950s Italian Murano Ruby Red Sommerso, Bullicante and Pulled Art Glass Lamp Base
Murano Glass 1950s Italian Murano Ruby Red Sommerso, Bullicante and Pulled Art Glass Lamp Base
Murano Glass 1950s Italian Murano Ruby Red Sommerso, Bullicante and Pulled Art Glass Lamp Base
Murano Glass 1950s Italian Murano Ruby Red Sommerso, Bullicante and Pulled Art Glass Lamp Base
Murano Glass 1950s Italian Murano Ruby Red Sommerso, Bullicante and Pulled Art Glass Lamp Base

1950s Italian Murano Ruby Red Sommerso, Bullicante and Pulled Art Glass Lamp Base

Regular price £188.00 Save £-188.00

This vivid and elegant work of Italian Mid Century design brings with it beauty created by expert glass working techniques. 

The captured colour at the centre of this piece is a fiery ruby red that carries a diffusion of air bubbles crafted with the Bullicante technique.

The Bullicante effect is achieved by placing a piece of molten glass inside a metallic mold with spikes. The spikes create holes in the surface that is then allowed to cool for a few moments before the whole piece is then submerged in molten glass to create a second layer. The thick consistency of glass prevents the holes previously impressed on the first layer from being covered and traps the air between both layers of glass to create the bubbles. 

The clear glass encasing of the core is the well-known Sommerso technique. Sommerso is one of the most commonly known Murano techniques that is characterised by an outer layer of colourless glass, the effect is as if a big drop of colour had been captured inside the clear glass.

The form of this piece is particularly distinctive as not only is the core captured with the Sommerso technique, the clear glass casing has also been 'pulled' when the glass was molten to create the distinctive undulating arches. 

The combined effect from the different techniques has created a superb canvas for refraction of light. 

CONDITION

Superb. There are no visually diminishing chips, cracks or scratches, with the exception of where the glass was ground to create the inlet for the electrical cable. There is mild use wear that is most visible on the underside of the base and is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as part of condition report.

Function: Light fittings function. 

MEASUREMENTS

c. 7.9" / 20 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. " / 13 cm in diameter (across widest point). Base diameter: c. " / 9 cm 

Unpackaged weight: c. 1.9 kg / 1,941 g

NOTES

Lamp base will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
The Sommerso [Literal translation 'submerged'] technique was brought to fame by Archimede Seguso prior to his exploration into the Bullicante technique. The technique is used to create layers of glass - often several layers and usually with different contrasting colours - inside a single object, giving the illusion of “immersed” colours without mixing. The different layers of glass is put through heat, repeatedly immersing them in pots of molten coloured glass before being encased in an outer later of colourless glass. 

The Bullicante [Literal translation 'boiling'] technique has long been part of Venetian glass making history and was made famous in the 20th century by Archimede Seguso around the 1930s. Seguso experimented with up to six layers of trapped air bubbles or 'bollicine', which is said to have reminded him of bubbles in boiling water and hence the name 'Bullicante'. Ever the innovator, Seguso would not be content with just mastering the Bullicante technique and would go on to decorate the inside layers with gold leaf and other colours.