Murano Sommerso Stylised Bird in Blue

This is a highly attractive stylised bird in three layers – blue, aquamarine and flint. It probably dates to about the 1960s to 1970s. Sommerso is the Italian for ‘submerged’ and is used to describe this type of Murano cased glass. Casing describes a molten coloured body that is seamlessly covered in another layer or a number of layers of differently coloured or colourless glass. The clear glass exterior casing can be pulled into extended shapes, creating interesting and complex optical effects. The body is in the form of a leaf-shaped bowl, the sides of which have been crimped to form stylised wings. The front has been drawn upwards and formed into an S shaped curve, creating a neck. The head has been separately applied and pressed to form details of the crest, eyes and beak. The lobed base has also been formed separately in flint glass. It has a maximum height of approximately 28.5cm. It is in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks.