Flavio Poli for Seguso Sommerso Vase Murano circa 1960

A large Venetian vase in sommerso glass made by Seguso Vetri D'Arte and designed by Flavio Poli in the 1960s. Clear and grey sommerso glass, polished rim. Remnants of the 1960s Seguso label on the body. It is signed 'SVA Albarelli 980'. This signature was used on stock items that were signed after Maurizio Albarelli and his wife Elin took over the company in 1973. 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 artistic director and in 1937, a partner. In the 1950s and 1960s, Poli's Sommerso, Valva, and Siderale creations were very successful. After Poli's retirement in 1963, Mario Pinzoni took over artistic direction. After economic difficulties and some name changes, the company was liquidated in 1985. Giampaolo Seguso, son of Archimede Seguso, and his sons Gianluca, Pierpaolo, and GianAndrea founded Seguso Viro in 1993. In 2007, the family was able to reacquire the Seguso Vetri d'Arte brand. Today, the company still manufactures under its historic name. Bibliographic reference: Marc Heiremans, Seguso Vetri D'Arte, Stuttgart 2014, page 151.