Glass Art Appraisal

Murano Style Art Glass Paperweight or Figurine

This item is an artistic glass object, likely a paperweight or decorative figurine, characterized by its vibrant colors and abstract form. It is constructed from hand-blown art glass, featuring clear glass enveloping inner layers of deep cobalt blue and swaths of translucent fuchsia or magenta. The overall form is organic and somewhat abstract, with a bulbous, flattened base and a distinct, rounded element rising from its center. The base appears irregularly shaped, possibly an elongated oval or kidney shape, with significant thickness that allows for the embedding of the colorful internal patterns. Near the top, a clear glass sphere encases a dark blue disk with a white or clear center, resembling an 'evil eye' or a stylized eye motif. This top element is connected to the base by a smaller, clear glass 'neck'. The surface appears smooth and glossy, indicative of polished glass. No specific maker’s marks or signatures are visible in the provided image, but the style strongly suggests Murano glass techniques, particularly the 'sommerso' (submerged) method where layers of colored glass are encased in clear glass. Given its artistic design and material, it likely dates from the mid-20th century to contemporary. Condition appears good from the photo, with no obvious chips or cracks, although the bottom bears two white adhesive labels, one with '300' and another with '27139 5', likely inventory or pricing tags that would require removal and potential cleaning without damaging the glass. The craftsmanship involves a visible level of skill in glassblowing and color manipulation.