Mario Pinzoni for Seguso Sommerso Murano bowl circa 1969.

A very heavy sommerso glass bowl made by Seguso Vetri D'Arte and designed by Mario Pinzoni around 1969. Made of thick purple and ruby sommerso glass. An authentic piece of mid-century modernism from Murano. Very good condition with slight calcification inside - see photos. The Seguso family has been documented as glassmakers in Venice since the 14th century. Seguso Vetri d’Arte was founded in 1933 by several master glassmakers, including Archimede, Ernesto, and Alberto Seguso. In 1934, Flavio Poli became the artistic director and, in 1937, a partner. In the 1950s and 1960s, Poli's Sommerso, Valva, and Siderale creations achieved immense success. After Poli's departure in 1963, Mario Pinzoni took over the artistic direction. Following economic difficulties and several name changes, the company was liquidated in 1985. Giampaolo Seguso, son of Archimede Seguso, along with his sons Gianluca, Pierpaolo, and GianAndrea, founded Seguso Viro in 1993. In 2007, the family managed to reacquire the Seguso Vetri d’Arte brand. Today, the manufacture still produces under its historic name. Bibliographic reference: Marc Heiremans, Seguso Vetri D'Arte, Stuttgart 2014, Page 297 (similar designs).