Murano vase

This mid-century glass vase, produced in Murano, Italy, during the 1960s, showcases the technical precision and formal elegance associated with the sommerso technique—one of Murano’s most celebrated glassmaking innovations. The vase is constructed around a golden amber core, encased within a thick layer of clear crystal glass. The optical layering creates a suspended, lens-like interior that appears to float within the outer form, a hallmark of the sommerso method.

The coloration is warm and nuanced, with the amber tone gently intensifying toward the center and fading into clarity at the edges. This gradation is accentuated by the thickness of the crystal, which functions both as a refracting medium and as a magnifier of the internal color mass. When viewed in changing light, the vase reveals subtle tonal shifts and enhanced spatial depth, producing a luminous, almost liquid quality.

The overall form is vertically oriented and gracefully tapering. The ovoid body transitions smoothly into an elongated neck that culminates in a soft, asymmetrical lip—an elegant detail that adds dynamism to the silhouette. The base is thick and polished, providing visual weight and physical stability, and the hand-blown nature of the piece is evident in its seamless contours and organic refinement.

While the specific designer is unidentified, the craftsmanship and formal clarity are in keeping with the work of mid-century Murano studios such as Mandruzzato, Seguso, or Barbini. These workshops were known for adapting traditional Venetian techniques to suit the evolving tastes of post-war modernism, producing glass forms that were sculptural, minimal, and technically exacting.

Murano, located in the Venetian lagoon, has been a center of glass production since the 13th century. In the 20th century, its artisans pushed the boundaries of glass design, embracing abstraction and formal experimentation while preserving deep-rooted techniques such as sommerso, incalmo, and battuto. The 1960s in particular marked a period of innovation, during which Murano glass began to intersect more directly with international modernist design movements.

The vase is in very good vintage condition. It shows only minor surface wear consistent with age and use, with no chips, cracks, or structural flaws. The clarity of the crystal and the integrity of the color casing remain intact.

Dimensions: 30 cm in height, 7 cm in width, and 4 cm in depth (approximately 11.81 × 2.76 × 1.57 inches). This piece stands as a representative example of Murano’s postwar glassmaking achievements—where technical mastery and modernist design sensibility coalesce in a refined, sculptural object.