THE ITEM
This vivid and majestic work of Italian mid-century Modern design brings with it beauty created by expert glass working techniques and is attributed to glass artist Flavio Poli (b. 1900 - d. 1984).
This handblown and sculpted piece of art glass showcases iconic Murano colour combinations. Suspended at its centre a vibrant yet cool tone of Cherry Fuschia that is edged in a trim of Powdered Slate blue. The clear glass casing which surrounds the core is the well-known Sommerso technique, this has been worked to extend outwards at the rim, creating the 'fishtail' effect. Set either side of the Cherry Fuschia / Powdered Slate blue core are the Sommerso 'wings', which capture the classic Murano colour combination of Cobalt Blue edged in Golden Amber.
The form of this piece is particularly distinctive and rare in both its form and size. The effect of the sculptural curves has created a superb canvas for the refraction of light.
CONDITION
Superb. There are no chips, cracks or repairs. There is light use wear in the form of faint scratches which do not visibly diminish and are commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 12.6" / 32 cm tall (from base to highest point) x c. 8.1" / 20.5 cm in diameter (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 8.1" / 20.5 cm x c. 3.5" / 8.8 cm. Rim measurements: c. 6.7" / 17 cm x c. 1.8" / 4.6 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 3.5 kg / 3,523 g
NOTES
Vase 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 are put through heat, repeatedly immersing them in pots of molten coloured glass before being encased in an outer layer of colourless glass.
Flavio Poli (b. 1900 - d. 1984)
Flavio Poli an Italian artist, known for his designs in glass. Born in 1900, he was trained at the Istituto d'Arte di Venezia, then began work as a ceramicist. In 1934 he was appointed artistic director of Barovier, Seguso & Ferro (later Seguso Vetri d’Arte), where he devised a style of Sommerso 'submerged' glass, with several transparent layers, one over the other. Within three years, he was a partner in the company. Poli left Seguso in 1963. From 1964 to 1966 he led the artistic glass division of the Società Veneziana di Conterie e Cristallerie. Poli died in 1984. A number of his works are in the Murano Glass Museum, the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia, and MoMA in New York.
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This striking and vivid work of handblown, Italian mid-century art glass design brings with it the beauty created by expert Murano art glass techniques.
The form is that of a stylised, unfurling splash, expertly hot-worked into the elegantly dramatic form with vibrantly flourishing and poised tips. The base colour is the iconic and rich Murano Scarlet red, classic to the mid-century period which cascades into the companion Candy red and Amber and encasing petals of Midnight blue. The encasing of colour within colour is the well-known technique name Sommerso. One of the most commonly known Murano techniques characterised by an outer layer of glass with the effect of definitively capturing colour.
The form of this piece is distinctive as not are the petals of Midnight blue captured with the Sommerso technique but the overall form was also 'pulled' when the glass was molten to create the ridged and highly tactile effect. The compound effect from the different techniques has created a superb canvas for the refraction of light.
The iconic colour palette, form and majestic size make this piece excellent for a standalone display.
CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repair. There is negligible surface wear and movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece - please see photos as they form part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c.7.5" / 19 cm tall (from base to tip) x c.19.7" / 50 cm in length (across longest point). Width: c. 9" / 23 cm. Base measurements: c. 4.1" / 10.5 cm x 3.7" / 9.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 2.6 kg / 2,640 g
A BIT OF HISTORY
The Sommerso [Literal translation 'submerged'] technique was brought to fame by Archimede Seguso c.1950s, 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 are put through heat, repeatedly immersing them in pots of molten coloured glass before being encased in an outer layer of colourless glass.
This striking work of Murano art glass in the Triple Sommerso technique, handblown in temperatures of c. 2,400°F / 1,300°C was from Luigi Onesto for his studio La Vetreria Artistica Oball.
Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville
With an elegant beauty created by the masterful execution of the Sommerso art glass technique, Sommerso is one of the most commonly known Murano techniques, which in Italian literally means “submerged”. This technique is used to create several layers of glass (usually with different contrasting colours) inside a single object, giving the illusion of “immersed” colours without mixing.
In art glass, and particularly in this piece, the edges are anything but vague. The core colour of this sculpted piece is a vibrant Teal green, Ultraviolet purple and Hot Fuschia pink. The work is accented with a lollipop stopper containing 3 rings of concentrated colours from the palette.
The final form is a softly rounded slice with two polished facets which provide excellent windows to the feature of colour layers. This exceptional work of sculpted art glass is timelessly Modern yet luxurious in style and brings an elevated yet glamorous simplicity.
CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. There is faint wear of movement marks on the underside of the bases that are commensurate with the age. Please refer to the photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed with 'L. Onesto Murano'. The label 'Vetreria Artistica Oball Murano' is also on the body of the bottle.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 5.7" / 14.6 cm (base to stopper) x c. 4.4" / 11.3 cm length (across longest point) x width: c. 3.3" / 8.5 cm (across widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 1.1 kg / 1,120 g.
A BIT OF HISTORY Luigi Onesto for Vetreria Artistica Oball One of the most famous makers of Italian Murano art glass is Luigi Onesto. Born in Murano, Italy to a family of glass-makers, Luigi was immersed in the art from an early age. At 15, he honed his craft during his apprenticeship at Gambaro & Poggi, one of the oldest and leading glass-making companies in Italy at the time. Eventually, he founded his own art glass studio, Vetreria Artistica Oball, where he now works with his sons.
Luigi’s work is characterised by his exceptionally skilled use of the Sommerso technique. Sommerso involves layering multiple colours of glass for a very distinctive and beautiful effect. It is not a simple process by any means and in the hands of lesser artists, the effect is often ruined by the presence of air bubbles between the layers.
Sommerso is one of the most commonly known Murano techniques, which in Italian literally means “submerged”. This technique is used to create several layers of glass (usually with different contrasting colours) inside a single object, giving the illusion of “immersed” colours without mixing.
The different layers of glass are put through heat, repeatedly immersing them in pots of molten coloured glass. This technique is easily recognisable; characterised by an outer layer of colourless glass and thick layers of coloured glass inside it. The effect is as if a big drop of colour had been captured inside the clear glass.
Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville
This vivid and elegant work of Italian Mid Century design brings with it beauty created by expert Murano art glass techniques.
The form is that of an abstract jug, elegantly dramatic with the poised tip and a flourishing handle that is a folded arch. The base colour is the Murano fiery Ruby red, classic to the mid-century period which cascades into the companion amber and is finished with the Ice blue clear casing. 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 glass, the effect is a clear and definitive capturing of colour.
The form of this piece is distinctive as not only is the core captured with the Sommerso technique but the overall form was also 'pulled' when the glass was molten to create the ribbed effect. The combined effect from the different techniques has created a superb canvas for the refraction of light.
The iconic colour palette, form and majestic size make this piece excellent for standalone display.
CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repair. There is negligible surface wear and movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece - please see photos as they form part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. " / 40 cm tall (from base to tip) x c. " / 18 cm in width (across widest point). Depth: c. " / 11 cm. Base measurements: c. " / 10.5 cm x " / 8,5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 2.9 kg / 2,880 g
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 are put through heat, repeatedly immersing them in pots of molten coloured glass before being encased in an outer layer of colourless glass.
This striking and vivid work of handblown Murano art glass is by Luigi Onesto for his art glass studio Vetreria Artistica Oball. This piece brings with it a beautiful demonstration of the Sommerso technique. The Sommerso technique was developed by Venetian glass artist Antonio Da Ross of Murano in the late 1930s, after successfully suspending contrasting but separate colours of glass. Recognition of Da Ross's work became well known and around the same time Paolo Venini perfected this technique, but it was Seguso d’Arte who made it world famous during the 1950s.
This particular piece brings together three beautifully translucent layers in bold shades of Stained Glass Cobalt blue and Sea green that is finished in a smooth, rounded clear casing. Highly tactile, the silky, organically rounded form of this piece invites touch and the timeless style is suitable for standalone display or functional use as a Ikebana vase.
CONDITION
Excellent. There is very light use wear, most prominently on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The piece is additionally signed on the base 'L. Onesto, Murano'
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7.3" / 18.5 cm (base to rim) x c. 5.1" / 13 cm width (across widest point). Base: c. 3" / 7.5 cm x c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 2.2 kg / 2,210 g.
NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Vetreria Artistica Oball (1978 - present)
Vetreria Artistica Oball (Oball Glassworks) was founded by Luigi Onesto in 1978. Onesto was born in Murano to a family of glassmakers and from a young age, he was in the art of glass. Developing his craft as a teenager, he honed his skills during his apprenticeship at Gambaro & Poggi, one of the oldest and leading glass making companies in Italy at the time. By the late 1970s, Onesto was confident enough to strike out on his own to found Vetreria Artistica Oball. He was later joined by his sons Fabio and Michele and together, they have run Oball glassworks for over 30 years specialising in the art glass technique Sommerso.
This striking and vivid work of handblown, hot worked of mid-century art glass is by Murano, Vetro Artistico Veneziano. This piece brings with it a beautiful demonstration of the Avventurina technique. Avventurina [tr. Aventurine] is one of many popular and widely recognised Murano technique and as its name suggests, is glass decorated with aventitius surface effects resembling the shimmering flecks of natural quartz. The decoration revives a 17th century technique pioneered in the Murano (Venice) glasshouse of the Miotto family.
This particular piece brings together a bold Candy Apple red with an exterior of silver floating shimmers that is cased in clear glass and worked into the organic, tricorn form. The clear casing is finished with 3 pulled rims, each supporting one of the three folded tips.
Highly tactile, the form invites touch and the timeless style is suitable for standalone display or functional use.
CONDITION
Excellent. There is very light use wear, most prominently on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The piece is additionally marked with most of the Vetro Artistico Veneziano label on the underside of the base.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 2.8" / 7 cm (base to rim) x c. 5.4" / 13.6 cm width (across widest point) Base: c. 1.2" / 3 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.5 kg / 490 g.
NOTES
Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
This striking and ethereal work of handblown, hot-worked, mid century art glass is attributed to Viartec THF, very Murano in style and quality, this piece brings with it a beautiful demonstration of the Sommerso art glass technique.
Sommerso is one of the most popular and widely recognised Murano techniques, which in Italian literally means “submerged”. This technique is used to create several layers of glass (usually with different contrasting colours) inside a single object, giving the illusion of 'immersed' colours.
This particular piece brings together a vivid and fiery Scarlet red that is encased in Deep Tangelo orange-red. The stylised form is reminiscent of the organic hot worked sugar in sugar art or the candy coating of a Candy Apple. The wings are drawn outwards from the centre to end in a lightly inverted curve at the end before one wing is twisted forward and the other wing is brought backwards to create the mild twist.
The beautiful form, eye-catching size and condition allows this piece to be suitable for standalone display as a centrepiece.
CONDITION
Excellent. There is very light use wear on the surface that is typical and commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c.9.5" / 24 cm (base to tallest point ) x c. 17.5" / 44.5 cm width (across widest point) x depth: c. 2.6" / 6.5 cm. Base: c. 4.7" / 12 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.5 kg / 1,540 g.
NOTES
Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.