Mid-Century Modern, circa 1955–1975 – European Art Glass – Freeform Cased Glass Centerpiece Bowl

Origin:

A commanding piece of hand-blown European art glass executed in the sommerso (cased glass) technique, with a deep sapphire-cobalt inner gather fully encased in thick, brilliantly clear crystal. The dramatic biomorphic silhouette — wide, low, and wing-spread like a manta ray or swallowtail butterfly — is a defining gesture of Mid-Century Modern decorative glass production from the 1955–1975 period. Reverse-image research surfaces close visual parallels with documented work from Daum of Nancy, France, as well as distinguished Dutch atelier production (Maastricht/Royal Leerdam), and the French crystal house Bayel; the form language, fire-polished rim treatment, and cased-color technique are all consistent with that tier of European craftsmanship. This piece is unmarked in its current state and is offered as being in the style of French or Dutch Mid-Century art glass of the period, attributed to a quality European atelier.

Condition:

• Very good vintage condition overall
• No chips, cracks, or structural damage observed
• Minor surface micro-scratches consistent with age and prior display use
• Glass retains full clarity and vivid cobalt color with excellent light transmission

Details:

• Material: Hand-blown cased / sommerso art glass — cobalt blue inner core, clear crystal outer layer
• Form: Wide, flat, freeform biomorphic bowl with fire-polished, naturally undulating rim
• Base: Heavy pooled glass foot where blue concentrate is most intense
• Approximate width: approx. 45–50 cm across at widest wing span
• Weight: Substantial — heavy thick-walled construction typical of quality atelier production
• No visible maker's mark or signature identified

Perfect for:

• Statement centerpiece on a dining table, console, or coffee table
• Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian, or French modernist interiors
• Art glass collectors seeking a strong decorative anchor piece
• A sculptural display object that reads as art when empty

Design Notes:

The interplay between the deep cobalt pooling at the base and the near-invisible clarity of the upper rim gives this piece a sense of gravity and movement simultaneously — as though the color is still settling. The wing-spread form means it commands presence even on a large surface, and catches light differently from every angle throughout the day.