VINTAGE SOMMERSO ART GLASS VASE - MURANO STYLE - 11.5" TALL

Important Note : This piece is unsigned and sold as high-quality vintage art glass with characteristics consistent with Italian/Murano production. Maker authentication cannot be guaranteed without documentation.

This listing includes a stunning mid-century modern art glass vase showcasing the sophisticated sommerso (submerged) technique. This elegant piece features graduated brown-to-amber tones with a dramatic torpedo/cone silhouette and sculptural tri-lobed base. The quality, weight, and execution are consistent with high-end Italian art glass production from the 1970s.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Height: 11½" • Base: 5⅛" × 3⅛" (oval footprint) • Weight: 1.13 lbs (substantial quality glass) • Opening: Polished rim • Colors: Deep chocolate brown graduating to amber/honey tones • Technique: Sommerso (layered colored glass) • Form: Elongated cone/torpedo with tri-lobed base

DESIGN & TECHNIQUE:

Sommerso Glass: This piece employs the classic sommerso technique developed by Murano masters in the 1930s-40s and popularized in mid-century modern design. The method involves:

• Layering colored glass in multiple dips
• Creating depth and gradation of color
• Achieving a "submerged" visual effect
• Requiring exceptional skill and precision

The color transitions from deep chocolate brown at the base through warm amber tones, creating dimensional depth that changes with viewing angle and lighting.

Form & Aesthetic:

• Sculptural silhouette - Dramatic vertical emphasis typical of 1970s art glass
• Tri-lobed base - Organic, flowing foot with three distinct "petals"
• Elongated cone - Sleek, tapered form with modernist appeal
• Substantial weight - Thick-walled construction indicating quality production
• Polished rim - Professional finishing work

STYLE & ERA:

This vase exhibits characteristics of high-quality Italian art glass from the 1970s:

✓ Sommerso technique execution ✓ Warm brown/amber palette popular in 1970s design ✓ Sculptural, organic form ✓Substantial weight and thick walls ✓ Quality hand-finishing ✓ Mid-century modern aesthetic

The style is consistent with pieces produced by renowned Murano glass houses including V. Nason & C., Seguso, Mandruzzato, and others during this period. However, as this piece is unsigned, it is offered as "Murano-style" or "in the manner of" Italian art glass masters.

PROVENANCE & ATTRIBUTION:

Important disclosure: This vase bears no maker's mark, signature, or label.

Based on the following characteristics, it appears to be authentic Italian art glass from the 1970s:

• Quality of sommerso technique execution
• Substantial weight and glass thickness
• Hand-blown characteristics
• Style consistent with known Murano production
• Professional finishing and polishing
• Period-appropriate design aesthetic

Many authentic Murano pieces were not signed, particularly those produced for export or by smaller studios. The absence of a signature does not diminish quality or origin, but authentication cannot be guaranteed without documentation.

This vase is sold as high-quality vintage art glass with characteristics consistent with Italian/Murano production, not as a definitively attributed piece.

CONDITION:

Excellent vintage condition for a 50+ year old piece. The glass is clear with beautiful color saturation and no cloudiness or degradation.

Condition specifics:

• One small chip on rim edge (visible in photos, does not detract from display)
• Minor surface scratches consistent with age and handling
• Possible tiny fleabites at base (typical contact marks)
• No cracks, breaks, or structural damage
• Colors remain vibrant and unfaded
• Glass clarity excellent

Manufacturing characteristics (normal for hand-blown glass):

• Small air bubbles trapped in glass layers
• Slight asymmetries in form (handmade character)
• Minor variations in wall thickness
• Pontil mark or polished base (evidence of hand-blowing)

These are authentic characteristics of hand-crafted art glass, not flaws.

COLLECTIBILITY & DISPLAY:

Why this vase is special:

✓ Sommerso technique - Sophisticated glass artistry ✓ Impressive scale - Nearly 12" tall makes a statement ✓ Mid-century modern - Peak period for Italian art glass design ✓ Warm palette - Versatile brown/amber tones complement many decors ✓ Sculptural quality - Artistic piece beyond functional vase ✓ Quality execution - Professional-level glasswork ✓ Substantial presence - Weight and form create impact

PERFECT FOR:

✓ Mid-century modern collectors ✓ Italian art glass enthusiasts ✓ Sommerso glass collectors ✓ 1970s design aficionados ✓ Contemporary home styling ✓ Architectural interiors ✓ Statement piece displays ✓ Dried botanicals or branches ✓Standalone sculptural object

DISPLAY RECOMMENDATIONS:

This vase is a true statement piece that commands attention:

Lighting: The sommerso technique shines with backlighting or side lighting that illuminates the graduated color layers. Place near windows or with directed accent lighting.

Styling:

• Standalone on console tables or mantels
• Grouped with other art glass in complementary tones
• Filled with tall dried grasses, pussy willows, or curly willow
• Left empty as pure sculpture
• Paired with books and objects in curated vignettes

Color coordination: The warm brown/amber tones pair beautifully with:

• Earth tones and natural materials
• Rich jewel tones (emerald, sapphire, ruby)
• Neutrals (cream, beige, gray)
• Mid-century wood furniture
• Brass and copper accents

HISTORICAL CONTEXT:

The 1970s represented a golden age for Italian art glass, with Murano studios experimenting with bold colors and sculptural forms. The sommerso technique, perfected in earlier decades, was applied to increasingly dramatic shapes reflecting the aesthetic confidence of the era.

Brown and amber tones were particularly fashionable in 1970s interior design, appearing in everything from glass to ceramics to textiles. This vase captures that aesthetic while maintaining timeless appeal through quality craftsmanship.

MEASUREMENTS SUMMARY:

• Height: 11½"
• Base width: 5⅛"
• Base depth: 3⅛"
• Weight: 1.13 lbs (18 oz)
• Wall thickness: Approximately ¼-⅜" (substantial)

Estate acquisition. Ships carefully packaged with full insurance.

Sold as vintage art glass consistent with Italian/Murano style and production. No maker authentication provided. Minor rim chip as described. Please review all photos carefully. Questions welcome!

We try to capture the true colors and nuances of each item offered to you.  If you would like additional photos, want additional information, or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

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