Mid-Century, 1950s–1970s – Murano Art Glass – Gondola Centerpiece Bowl / Ashtray

Origin:

This hand-blown glass piece is made in the classic Venetian gondola form, a signature decorative type produced on the island of Murano, Italy from the 1950s through the 1970s. The shallow boat-shaped bowl features a richly layered cobalt blue core graduating to aquamarine at the rim, achieved through a Sommerso-influenced layered gather technique, and rests on a hollow spherical bubble foot with internal aventurine-like flecking. Applied clear glass scroll handles at both ends and an elegant upswept profile complete the gondola silhouette. The piece is unmarked, in the style of the many skilled Murano furnaces — including houses such as Arte Nostra — that produced this beloved form for both the decorative and souvenir markets of the era.

Condition:

• Very good vintage condition
• No chips, cracks, or repairs observed
• Minor surface micro-scratches consistent with age and display use
• Glass retains full clarity and color vibrancy

Details:

• Material: Hand-blown Murano art glass
• Color: Cobalt blue core with aquamarine/turquoise gradient and clear applied handles
• Base: Hollow spherical bubble foot with internal flecking
• Form: Gondola boat — functions as a centerpiece bowl, candy dish, or ashtray
• Approximate dimensions: ~35 cm length including handles × ~10 cm height
• Unmarked (no maker's label present)

Perfect for:

• A coffee table or console styled with Mediterranean or coastal-inspired decor
• Collectors of Murano and Italian mid-century art glass
• A striking standalone decorative accent in blue-toned interiors
• Display as a catchall for rings, keys, or small objects

Design Notes:

The gondola bowl is one of the most enduring icons of Murano glassmaking — a form that distills Venetian identity into a single graceful silhouette. The interplay of deep cobalt and luminous aqua in this example gives it a depth that reads differently in natural versus artificial light, making it as compelling on a sunlit table as it is under evening ambiance. A piece that carries the warmth and craft of the Italian lagoon wherever it lands.