{"product_id":"red-sommerso-mcm-ashtray-cigar","title":"Murano Sommerso Ruby Red Glass Cigar Ashtray, c. 1960s","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003evintage Murano sommerso glass cigar ashtray\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, dating to around the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1960s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, is a wonderfully substantial piece of mid-century Venetian art glass. A deep ruby-red interior is encased within a thick layer of clear glass, creating the strong colour, depth and optical distortion associated with the sommerso technique. Measuring approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e15.5 × 15 × 6 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand weighing an impressive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1.7 kg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, it has real presence for a relatively compact object.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSommerso\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, meaning “submerged”, became one of the most recognisable techniques of post-war Murano glass. Layers of coloured glass were enclosed within clear glass, allowing colour to appear suspended inside the finished piece. Makers including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCenedese, Seguso and other Murano workshops\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e produced heavy sculptural ashtrays and bowls of this type during the 1950s and 1960s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example has a particularly satisfying four-lobed form. The rim has been pulled and shaped while hot, creating broad rests large enough to take \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecigars as well as cigarettes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which makes its original purpose as an ashtray especially clear. The thick clear casing magnifies and distorts the ruby centre beneath, while the outer glass forms heavy sculptural feet around the coloured core.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe piece is unsigned and no original factory label survives, so I would resist attributing it to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlavio Poli, Seguso or another individual maker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e without firmer evidence. The form, weight and construction are consistent with the Murano sommerso tradition, but several Venetian factories produced related designs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Very good vintage condition. There are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eno chips, cracks or repairs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Light surface marks and base scratches are present, consistent with age and normal use. These do not detract from the overall appearance and are entirely in keeping with a substantial piece of mid-century glass of this age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector’s note:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e What I like about this piece is how successfully something as practical as a cigar ashtray was turned into a small sculpture. In subdued light the centre appears almost wine-dark, while stronger light brings out a remarkably rich ruby red. At \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1.7 kg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, it has that wonderfully solid quality found in the best mid-century decorative glass.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorldwide Shipping:\u003c\/strong\u003e We are always happy to ship worldwide. Your piece will be  packed with great care and sent tracked.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eclectic Design ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62896308617375,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1929\/9493\/files\/IMG_4592.jpg?v=1792913622","url":"https:\/\/eclecticdesignlondon.com\/products\/red-sommerso-mcm-ashtray-cigar","provider":"Eclectic Design ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}