Big Hand Blown Art Glass Vase Set Laminated with Mosaic Murrines

Big hand blown art glass vase set with exterior polychrome and aventurine murrina décor.

Mysterious hand blown art glass vase set. We are unable to identify the maker or the era at this time. The only decor match we’ve found was described as “vasa Murrhina”, but it was on a vase from the first century A.D. This unique pair of vases are not from the first century. They were probably made in the 1940’s-1960’s.

They could be mid-century Italian/Murano/Venetian: Pezzato (Venini), Mosaica (Vistosi/Toso) or AVEM (Dino Martens). This high quality hand blown art glass vase set was certainly made by a master of the craft. Estimated circa 1920 – 1960.

The exterior décor process is called “Roll Up” or “laminated”. Colorful sheets of glass produced with kiln-fusing are rolled over the blown vessel, then attached to a blow pipe and blown again. It involves warm, hot, and cold methods all in unison. Very difficult to achieve.

The inner glass is blown cobalt blue (image 7). The laminated layer is not cased in clear as usually seen, it is the outer layer. Surface is textured. Multiple images included here due to difficulty in capturing the intense beauty of the vases. The laminate colors are blue, yellow, and copper aventurine. The laminate is wrapped over the vase openings which creates a stunning decor effect.

The vases are large and heavy. Measure 9.25 & 9.5″ tall, Weigh 3.75 lbs each. Slightly different height and shape on each is due the hand blowing process. Interesting soft form bullet shapes. Both in excellent condition with roughly ground pontil marks.