Murano Art Glass Black Amethyst Galaxy Bowl

SOLD Unusual shaped square bowl with a deep round well in the center. Big, heavy and beautiful.  Looks like a 'black hole' gobbling up a galaxy.  The murrine 'galaxies' are surrounded by large flake silver aventurine that look like distant stars. In perfect condition with heavy bottom-wear (from years of surface contact on the seat - see image 6).  Loaded with big silver aventurine flakes and colorful murrina.  The black glass is actually very dark amethyst.  It appears dark black normally, but when held up to the light you can see the glints of purple.  Using very dark red or purple glass was the method of creating black glass in the past.  Backlighting was used on image 7 and the amethyst is visible. The white glare marks encircling the bowl are light reflections. Hand-made by an Italian master of the craft.  This type of 1940s - 1950s art glass is usually credited to Arte Vetraria Muranese (A.Ve.M.) and referred to as 'Tutti Frutti'.  A great artist named Galliano Ferro who worked with A.Ve.M. formed his own glass company in 1955.  This beautiful bowl looks like his work.  The bowl was not marked by the maker.  Click to learn more about Italian glass. Measures 7½" at widest and stands 2" tall.  Weighs 2½" lbs.