1960's Murano faceted purple vase

Item Description

A faceted handblown Murano-style art glass vase, dating from the 1960s, featuring:

• Coloration: Rich plum purple inner core encased in thick clear crystal.
• Form: Sculptural, geometric with a vertical twist and clean faceted lines; square mouth and base.
• Base detail: Features a subtle decorative design or optical impression within the plum core—potentially a signature design trait.
• Mount: Displayed on a high-quality wooden plinth, likely not original to the piece but enhances presentation.

Material

• Medium: Handblown and cold-worked glass (possibly Sommerso technique).
• Weight: 2 lbs. 6 oz.
• Dimensions: 10" tall × approx. 2 5/8" at widest.

Condition

• Excellent: No visible chips, cracks, or scratches. Edges are crisp, and the surface clarity is high.
• Note: Absence of a signature is not uncommon in Murano glass from this era, especially for studio or production pieces made for export.

Attribution & Authentication

• Attribution: Based on shape, quality, color layering, and finish, this vase is consistent with the Murano Sommerso glass technique, likely from one of the following midcentury Venetian glassmakers:
  • Mandruzzato
  • Campanella
  • V.Nason & C.
  • Possibly Formia or Seguso Vetri d’Arte
• Base Decoration: The internal design element (seen in the base) might be a pontil polish mark or decorative inclusion—some Murano artisans experimented with geometric or “optical core” inclusions in this period.

Because the vase lacks a visible etched signature or label, it cannot be firmly attributed without expert review. However, its form and craftsmanship are strongly indicative of Murano origin, especially from the Mandruzzato family workshops known for faceted and geometric pieces like this one.

Comparable Market Values

Similar Murano glass vases from the 1960s—particularly those in the geometric/faceted Sommerso style—sell in the following range:

Source

Value (USD)

1stDibs (attributed Mandruzzato)

$500 – $1,200

LiveAuctioneers / Invaluable

$300 – $800

eBay (unsigned examples)

$200 – $400

Estimated Value

As-Is (Unsigned):
💰 $300 – $500 USD

If Attributed to Mandruzzato or Signed Piece:
💰 $600 – $1,000+ USD

Recommendation

To increase value or confirm attribution, consider:

• Having the piece appraised by a Murano specialist or auction house with 20th-century Italian glass expertise (e.g., Wright Auctions, Rago, or Bonhams).
• Contacting a Murano archive or Venetian glass historian if attribution becomes important for provenance or resale.

Conclusion

This is a striking and well-executed example of midcentury Murano art glass, desirable for collectors of geometric modernist décor or Italian decorative arts. Though unsigned, the form and quality speak strongly to its likely Venetian origin, and its condition further supports its value as a collector’s piece or décor investment.