Faceted Murano Sommerso Glass Table Lighter by Alessandro Mandruzzato Italy 1970

A jewel-like Murano table lighter in faceted sommerso glass by Alessandro Mandruzzato, Italy, 1970s. A submerged block of glass glowing from deep red at the core to golden amber, diamond-cut into sparkling facets and fitted with a chromed lighter mechanism. This table lighter is a superb example of the Murano sommerso ('submerged') technique, in which layers of coloured glass are cased one within another. Here a vivid red core is encased in warm amber-gold and a final layer of clear crystal, then cut and polished into a faceted, gem-like polyhedron that refracts the light and makes the colour appear to float within the block. The chromed metal lighter mechanism is set into the top and turns the piece into a functional object without diminishing its sculptural, jewel-like presence. Seen against the light, the colours shift from glowing ruby to honeyed amber. Conceived as a table lighter for the desk, bar or coffee table, it works equally as a small sculptural object or paperweight-like accent, catching and scattering light from every facet. The mechanism sits neatly within the polished glass, uniting function and decoration in the best Murano tradition. A tactile, glamorous object that anchors a smoking set or stands alone as a jewel of colour. The piece showcases the mastery of Murano sommerso glass — the depth and purity of the cased colours, the precision of the faceted, polished cutting, and the interplay of red, amber and crystal. This command of submerged colour and sharply cut geometry is the hallmark of Alessandro Mandruzzato's work, and gives the lighter its rich, gem-like quality. The chromed mechanism adds a cool, modern counterpoint to the warmth of the glass.