This one is a heart stopper! A vibrant vintage Murano art glass vase produced by AVeM—Arte Vetraria Muranese—in 1950. This compact yet remarkably substantial piece is an exceptional example of AVeM’s celebrated Bizantino or “tutti frutti” glass, known for its exuberant fusion of color, texture and traditional Murano decorative techniques.
The thick, free-form body contains a kaleidoscopic assortment of multicolored glass ribbons, fragments and canes in turquoise, cobalt blue, emerald green, ruby red, yellow, pink and white. Aventurine inclusions add flashes of coppery gold, while delicate white latticino ribbons create striking contrast. The colorful decoration is encased in heavy clear sommerso glass and rises from a thick transparent base.
The deeply sculpted, double-lobed opening reveals a rich ruby-red interior and gives the vase a distinctive heart-shaped silhouette when viewed from above. Because the decoration continues around the entire body, the vase presents beautifully from every angle.
The underside retains an old handwritten identification label reading “Vetro Sommerso ‘AVEM’ – Murano” and “Anno 50,” supporting an AVeM Murano attribution and a 1959 date. Although this richly colored AVeM glass is frequently associated with the influential work of Dino Martens, the vase is listed as AVeM rather than attributed to a specific designer.
Despite its intimate scale, the vase weighs nearly two pounds and has the substantial presence expected of quality midcentury Murano glass. It works equally well as a small flower vase, sculptural centerpiece or collectible cabinet piece.
DETAILS
Maker: AVeM, Arte Vetraria Muranese
Origin: Murano, Venice, Italy
Date: 1950
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Technique: Sommerso glass with multicolored tutti frutti fragments, latticino ribbons and aventurine inclusions
Pattern or series: Bizantino
Material: Handblown Murano art glass
Dimensions: 4 in. wide × 4 in. deep × 3.25 in. high
Weight: 891 grams / approximately 1.96 lb.
Markings: Vintage handwritten underside label identifying AVEM, Murano and the year 1950
CONDITION
Very good vintage condition, with minor signs of age and use consistent with a handblown glass object from 1950. Small bubbles, variations and irregularities within the glass are characteristic of its artisanal manufacture rather than defects. Please review all photographs, as they form part of the condition description.