Murano Glass Fish, Clear Glass with Smoky Black Sommerso Core, Original Label, 14 cm, 1960s/70s

This solid glass fish was shaped by hand on the island of Murano near Venice and still bears its original red foil label "Made in Murano Italy". The round label with the flowing Murano script was used by numerous workshops on the island and confirms the origin, but not a specific manufacturer; there is no signature. Style and workmanship point to the 1960s or 1970s, when figurative animal pieces in the Sommerso technique were among the most sought-after creations of Murano's glassblowers. Comparable clear glass fish with a dark core are known from the circle of Archimede Seguso or V. Nason & C., but we deliberately refrain from attributing this piece to either workshop.

The disc-shaped body of thick clear glass encloses a smoky black core that appears dense and dark towards the back and fades into a transparent grey towards the belly, creating a soft gradient from anthracite to silver grey depending on the light. The tall dorsal fin is built up like a comb from numerous individually pulled glass rods, the tail and pectoral fins are finely ribbed, and a fused-in eye and an applied, slightly open mouth complete the figure. The fish stands securely on a wavy clear glass base whose underside shows a waffled texture.

On a sideboard, shelf or windowsill, the fish reveals its full depth in backlight and suits a mid-century interior as well as a modern or maritime setting. It is in very good condition, with no chips, cracks or flakes, and the original label is intact; small bubbles in the glass are inherent to the making and not damage. The figure measures 14 cm in height, 14 cm in length and 5.5 cm in width.