Murano-Style Art Glass Hedgehog Paperweight

This item is a decorative art glass paperweight or figurine meticulously shaped into the form of a stylized hedgehog. The piece features a smooth, egg-shaped body with a distinct white-glass face and upper chest. The facial features, including two round eyes and a small snout, are applied using black glass dollops. The 'quills' are artistic representations created through a complex internal decorative technique: the top of the head features radiating black and white streaks, while the sides and back are adorned with a splatter or ‘frit’ pattern of black and white spots interspersed with metallic gold-tone aventurine flecks. The entire internal decoration is encased within a thick layer of clear, polished lead glass. The construction suggests a hand-blown or lamp-worked process typical of late 20th-century art glass production, likely originating from Venice (Murano style) or a mid-century Scandinavian studio. The condition appears excellent with a high-gloss finish; there are no visible chips, cracks, or deep scratches. The gold aventurine inclusions indicate a higher level of craftsmanship, as managing molten metallic inclusions requires precise temperature control. It sits on a flat, polished base to ensure stability.