Mid-Century Modern Murano-Style Art Glass Sommerso Starburst Bowl

This is a striking example of Mid-Century Modern sculptural art glass, likely dating from the 1960s or 1970s. The piece is crafted using the 'Sommerso' technique, featuring a deep cobalt blue core encased within a vibrant amber-honey colored outer layer of thick glass. The construction is characterized by an eight-pointed starburst or 'pinched' form, where the glass has been hand-pulled while molten to create elegant, elongated wings. The center of the bowl is deep and circular, transitioning into these dramatic outward-reaching glass extensions. Small spherical glass nodules are applied at the 'valleys' between the peaks, adding a unique textural element. Physically, the glass exhibits high clarity and significant weight, indicating quality craftsmanship typical of Murano (Italian) or Chalet (Canadian) production houses. The condition appears very good with no visible chips or major cracks, though typical light shelf wear on the base and minor surface scratches consistent with age may be present. There are no immediate signatures or maker's marks visible in the photograph, which is common for such art glass that traditionally relied on paper labels. The organic, fluid shape and bold bi-color scheme represent the height of psychedelic-influenced decor of the late mid-century era.

Upon visual examination of this mid-century sommerso glass bowl, I find it to be a high-quality example of the 'starburst' or 'pinched' style popular in the 1960s. The cobalt-to-amber transition is crisp, indicating a successful execution of the sommerso (submerged) technique. The addition of glass nodules at the base of the folds is a distinctive feature often associated with specialized Italian furnaces or North American houses like Chalet or Lorraine. The condition appears sound, with no visible flea bites or structural fractures, though the presence of microscopic 'shelf wear' on the base is expected for original vintage glass and helps confirm age. The market for Murano-style art glass remains steady, though values vary significantly based on attribution. Without a signature or label, this piece is valued as 'attributed to' or 'in the style of' Murano/Chalet. Comparables for mid-sized, unsigned sommerso bowls currently range from $200 for generic pieces to over $600 for documented Seguso or Galliano Ferro works. The eight-point starburst form is highly desirable for MCM collectors, driving the value toward the upper mid-range. Limitation Disclosure: This appraisal is based strictly on visual inspection of the provided images. Definitive authentication is impossible without physical examination to check the specific weight (lead content), the presence of a ground-flat pontil mark, and the unique refractive index and chemical composition of the glass. For full authentication, I would require provenance documentation, original manufacturer stickers, or a direct comparison of the tooling marks with known specimens from the Chalet or Murano catalogs.