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.