Amber Sommerso Glass Sculpture — Murano or European Studio, c. 1950s–60s
Viridian Eclection
The Piece
A striking amber and clear glass sculpture with an organic, egg like contour and a suspended teardrop core.
The outer layer is a heavy, satin frosted crystal, while the inner chamber holds a luminous honey amber drop with an air bubble inclusion. Light passes through the clear body and refracts around the inner form, creating a subtle glowing halo.
The piece rests solidly on its base, with a softly beveled edge, hand finished and ground flat, as fine Murano and Scandinavian studio glass is.
History & Provenance
This form was pioneered in Murano, Italy, in the 1950s and 1960s, at the height of the sommerso, or submerged, glass technique, perfected by masters such as Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte and Alfredo Barbini. Scandinavian studios, Kosta Boda and Orrefors above all, later echoed the style through the 1960s and 1970s, blending Italian sculptural sensibility with Nordic restraint.
The technique involves layering molten glass of contrasting colors, clear over color and sometimes with trapped bubbles, to produce a suspended, weightless effect.
The frosted exterior and the amber interior point to a production date in the late 1950s to the early 1960s, most likely Italian, possibly in the manner of Seguso or from an independent Murano workshop.
The origin is also recorded as the Vinci Collection of Dynasty Gallery, founded in San Francisco in the early 1950s and known for handcrafted glass, ceramics and decorative objects made to bring artistry into modern living. The attribution is therefore not settled, and rests on the technique and the finishing rather than on a signature.
Product Details
| Era | Mid century, c. 1950s to 1960s |
| Origin | Murano or a European studio. Also recorded as Dynasty Gallery, Vinci Collection, San Francisco. Attribution uncertain |
| Technique | Sommerso, encased layered glass |
| Materials | Hand blown glass, ground and polished base |
| Color | Amber core, clear crystal body, frosted exterior, with an air bubble inclusion |
| Dimensions | Typically 7 to 9 inches, 18 to 23 cm, tall. Actual measurements to be confirmed |
| Condition | Excellent. Minor base wear consistent with age |
Why It Belongs in Your Home
Sculptural glass of this kind lives on light. It thrives where light and shadow interact, on a console beneath a picture light, in a bookcase vignette, or on a plain pedestal where daylight can animate the amber core through the day.
It pairs naturally with brass, walnut or black marble, echoing the quiet opulence of mid century Italian interiors.
For a collector it sits comfortably among Barbini, Flavio Poli and Mandruzzato works, refined, elemental, and unmistakably mid century modern.
Every piece is packed with professional-grade materials: multiple foam layers, double-boxing, directional and fragile handling labels. For large furniture we use custom timber crating. We photograph packing before dispatch and can provide images on request.
White-glove delivery is complimentary within 100 miles of Reno, NV. National shipping quotes provided at checkout. All shipments are photographed and documented. Damage claims must be filed with the carrier; we provide all documentation needed to support your claim.
Local pickup is available at Viridian HQ (Reno, NV) with 2–4 days notice. Contact us to arrange. Private viewings also available.
All antique and vintage items are sold as described and all sales are final. Each listing includes detailed condition notes and photographs so you can make a fully informed decision. We encourage buyers to ask questions — about condition, dimensions, finish, provenance — before purchasing.
Antiques are irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind. Carrier handling is outside our control once a piece has left our facility, and major carriers including FedEx do not insure antiques. We do everything within our power to ensure safe transit, but cannot accept liability for carrier damage. If damage occurs in transit, we will provide full documentation to support your carrier claim.
Have a question? — we're happy to provide additional photos, condition detail, or discuss the piece directly.
