Vintage 1950s FRATELLI TOSO Murano artglass fig bowl

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Vintage 1950s FRATELLI TOSO Murano artglass fig bowl

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Sold Date: 07/11/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Glass

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY

CASED ITALIAN ART GLASS

FRATELLI TOSO

COBALT BLUE, WHITE & AVENTURINE SPIRAL

I am a stay-at-home mommy with way too much stuff in storage boxes. In the last few years, we merged two existing households, received wedding presents and then baby gifts, and shortly after, we moved to a new state.

Since then, I've been trying to clear out the boxes by finding new homes for the better things on Ebay. I only list items that are in good condition. Any flaws are noted in detail.

Before I remarried, I was an avid collector of vintage Murano glass, mainly from the 50s and 60s. I am particularly fond of Barbini, Nason, and Fratelli Toso. When we moved, I realized that my glass collection was out of control, but it was my new son (now an active 2-yr-old) that prompted me to find new homes for some of my delicate collectibles.

Recently, my toddler figured out how to stack things to allow himself to reach previously-safe display shelves. This is not safe for him or my glass collection, and since he prompted the fall (and damage) of a very large, very favored, very valuable piece, I've now decided to part with all but a few cherished pieces.

This auction is for a vintage cobalt blue, white and aventurine Murano fig-shaped bowl that I believe to be produced by the Fratelli Toso studios, circa 1950s.

This item is a large, dramatic bowl with ground pontil and four layers. The base of the bowl is formed by a thin opaque white (lattimo) layer with a generous sprinkling of glittering aventurine. The interior is then coated with a clear layer of glass with more aventurine inclusions that form a spiral pattern.

A third layer of clear-to-cobalt gradiated glass coats the interior of the bowl. This layer is clear in the center of the bowl, fading to a semi-transparent cobalt blue at the edges of the bowl. The base is then coated with a thin clear layer.

For true Murano fans, please note that I have considered that this bowl could be an AVEM piece. Both Fratelli Toso and AVEM had similar styles in this time period. I personally believe it to be Toso because of the gradiated color design and the spiral aventurine technique. AVEM artists during this era tended to favor more abstract inclusion patterns, so comparing this bowl to some of my labeled pieces from Toso, AVEM and even UCAGO, I feel that is Fratelli Toso. I've included plenty of pictures to allow you to judge.

I displayed this piece upright on a wooden easel, but it would look lovely displayed on a table with a floating candle or even with candy for entertaining.

This bowl is approximately 10" wide from the fold to the pull and 9" wide, side to side on the rounded sides. It is 2.5" deep. Like most mid-century Italian glass, it is heavy, weighing a little over 3 lbs.

This dish has no chips, cracks, or hazing. The pontil shows age-appropriate wear. T is a cluster of very faint tool marks on the underside near the pontil (too subtle to show up in photos). T are also some extremely tiny ash inclusions alongside the aventurine and the pull shows the glassmaker's tool mark (which are almost unavoidable for such defined pulls) if you are looking for evidence of handcrafting versus mass manufacturing.

No reserve, bidding starts low to encourage interest. NON-SMOKING HOME. Please feel free to email me with any questions.

If you like Italian glass, please check out my other listings, and watch for future offerings. I have a few more boxes that I haven't unpacked yet.

SHIPPING: This item weighs approximately 4 lbs. with a box and plenty of bubblewrap for shipping. I try to list the 3 least expensive shipping options. No hidden charges, just exact postage . If you'd prefer a different shipping method, just let me know.

Insurance is optional. Although I pack with great care, I cannot be responsible for items that are lost or damaged in the mail.

I love to combine items! I am always happy to save you money on postage by combining multiple items...