Murano Glass Fish Sculpture
Decorative Art / Sculpture in Hand-blown glass • Attributed to Murano, likely in the manner of Livio Seguso or Licio Zanetti
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern; Italian Modernism
Medium & Technique
Hand-blown glass; Sommerso and Vetro Eseguito techniques involving applied glass elements (morfologia) and heat-fused green glass nodes.
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century, circa 1950s-1970s
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 8-12 inches in height; Free-standing three-dimensional sculpture
Subject Description
Stylized, zoomorphic representation of a fish or marine creature. The form is minimalist and organic, featuring a bulbous clear body with a green glass eye and a long, tapering green fin that serves as a structural support. The composition plays with translucency and fluid lines.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; The piece appears structurally sound with significant surface wear.
Estimated Market Value
USD $300 - $700
Auction Estimate
USD $200 - $500
Provenance History
Unknown; Typical of high-end Italian export glassware sold through decorative arts galleries or luxury boutiques in the mid-century.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the post-war revitalization of Murano glassmaking, where traditional techniques were applied to abstract, avant-garde forms to cater to the modern international market.
Notable Features
Distinctive use of the fin as a tripod-like balance point; the contrast between the thick, saturated green glass and the clear crystal (cristallo) body.
Condition Issues
Visible surface scratches (grazing) on the main body of the glass; possible minute flea bites along the top rim/mouth; minor shelf wear on the base/fin contact point.
Conservation Recommendations
Non-abrasive cleaning with distilled water and a micro-fiber cloth; avoid extreme temperature fluctuations; display on a stable, non-vibrating surface.