Sculptural sommerso glass block, produced in Murano (Italy) around 1960, attributed to the Seguso Vetri d'Arte manufacture or a close modernist circle. This piece exemplifies post-war Venetian research on solid glass with contrasting chromatic layers. The prismatic rectangular shape with polished edges expresses the geometric aesthetic of the era, while the opposition between the translucent aqua casing and the internal core with amber-ruby gradients creates remarkable optical depth.
Sommerso glass – a Venetian technique consisting of immersing a colored core in an outer mass through controlled cooling – was the major signature of Murano workshops in the 1950s-1960s. This unsigned piece bears the stylistic characteristics of the modernist movement: absence of superfluous decoration, balance of proportions, sophisticated use of color as a structural rather than decorative element. It functions equally well as a standalone glass sculpture or as a single-flower vase.
Historical context: post-war Italy saw the emergence of a generation of glassmakers exploring the fusion between art and industrial design. Flavio Poli, Giorgio Barbini, and Dino Martens simultaneously developed pure geometric forms in thick glass, often with aqua/ruby or lemon/black palettes. Precise attribution of unsigned pieces remains complex, as these forms and colors circulated among several Murano workshops. This piece, with its robust construction and chromatic balance, demonstrates first-rate technical mastery.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Designer: Attributed to Flavio Poli or Seguso circle (unsigned)
Manufacturer: Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Murano, Italy (or similar production, 1950-1965)
Finish: Hand-blown; polished edges; raw surface (uncoated)
DIMENSIONS
Height: 18 cm (7.1 in)
Width: 6 cm (2.36 in)
Depth: 4 cm (1.57 in)
Weight: 1 kg
CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, missing pieces, cracks or repairs. Clear and shiny glass surface. Stable base, no noticeable wear. Light patination consistent with age (circa 1960). All elements are original; no detectable restoration or intervention.
