Mid-Century Modern Pink and Clear Sommerso Art Glass Starburst Vase

This is a substantial Mid-Century Modern art glass vase, likely of Murano origin or crafted by a firm such as Chalet Glass in Canada, dating to approximately the 1960s or 1970s. The piece utilizes the 'Sommerso' technique, featuring a core of vibrant cranberry or fuchsia pink glass encased within a thick layer of colorless clear glass. The form is highly sculptural and organic, characterized by a dramatic 6-point starburst or 'pulled' rim where the glass has been hand-stretched into elongated, tapering points. The body tapers down to a tripod-style base formed by similar pulled feet, providing both stability and aesthetic continuity. Its construction is heavy, indicating high-quality lead crystal or soda-lime glass composition typical of hand-blown studio glass. No maker's marks or signatures are immediately visible from the top-down perspective, but it displays the characteristic fluidity of free-form glassmaking. The condition appears to be excellent with a high surface gloss, no visible chips on the prominent tips, and only minor surface dust. Any shelf wear on the bottom would be expected given the age. The craftsmanship is evident in the symmetrical pull of the points and the clarity of the casing layer.

This substantial free-form art glass vase is a quintessential example of mid-century aesthetics, dating to the late 1960s or 1970s. The piece features a vibrant cranberry pink core submerged in clear crystal—a technique known as 'sommerso'—and is shaped into a dramatic six-point starburst or 'splash' form. While often attributed generally to Murano, Italy, this specific heavy, fluid style with pulled 'fingers' is highly characteristic of Canadian art glass, particularly Chalet Artistic Glass or Lorraine Glass Industries. The execution of the stretched rim and the clarity of the casing suggest a skilled glassblower. Based on visual inspection, the condition appears excellent, retaining high gloss without visible chips to the fragile tips, which is a critical value factor for these sculptural pieces. The market for Canadian and Murano-style mid-century glass remains steady, though values for unsigned pieces like this are modest compared to signed masterworks. Collectors value the visual impact of the sommerso colorway and the dramatic silhouette. Limitations in this appraisal arise from the inability to physically handle the object. Without physically inspecting the base for shelf wear consistent with age, or checking the weight and lead content, I cannot definitively assign a specific manufacturer, as labels are often lost. In-person inspection would also be necessary to detect microscopic flea bites on the rim or internal stress fractures not visible in photographs.