Sculptural submerged glass ashtray by Gianfranco Mandruzzato Murano

Extraordinary sculptural ashtray made by Gianfranco Mandruzzato in Murano between the 1960s and 1970s, an emblematic example of his research on submerged glass and faceted geometry. The work features a compact and monumental form, obtained through the superimposition of multiple layers of colored glass: an internal core in blue glass is immersed in a substantial light-blue layer and subsequently encased in a thick crystalline shell. The upper and side surfaces are hand-ground with diamond precision to create perfectly polished geometric planes, while the lower part is deliberately left irregular and material, with an “icy” texture typical of the Mandruzzato workshop. This dialogue between clear transparencies and raw surfaces creates a sculptural contrast of great plastic strength: light enters, is captured by the thicknesses, and returned through warm and deep tones that recall submerged glass of the finest Murano tradition. The faceted cut, rigorous and architectural, is a distinctive hallmark of Mandruzzato’s workmanship of the 1960s, a period in which the family brought grinding techniques to the highest levels of Venetian glass design. A decorative object of great presence, heavy, balanced, and iconic, perfect for collectors of Murano glass and for modern interiors that enhance sculptural pieces with strong visual impact. Product Name: Sculptural submerged glass ashtray by Gianfranco Mandruzzato Murano Designer: Gianfranco Mandruzzato, Murano Year of Design: Between the 1960s and 1970s Style: Sculptural and geometric Murano design, with strong research on transparencies, thicknesses, and architectural grinding Main Materials: Multi-layer submerged glass with blue core, intermediate light-blue layer, and thick crystalline shell; hand-ground surfaces and material base with “icy” texture Distinctive Design: Compact and monumental form obtained through the superimposition of multiple layers of colored glass; polished upper and side planes achieved through diamond