Murano Sommerso Glass Identification Guide + Gallery

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The sommerso technique was originally developed in the 1930's by Carlo Scarpa at Venini & Co. Sommerso (Italian for "submerged") is the Murano glassmaking technique of creating two or more layers of contrasting glass without the colours mixing together. It is formed by dipping coloured glass into molten glass of a different colour, before blowing the glass into the required form. The outermost layer is often clear. During the 1950's the sommerso style became world famous due to the work of Flavio Poli, artistic director of Seguso Vetri d'Arte. There have since been many other factories in the Murano region which have made pieces in this style, and as such it is difficult to be certain of the manufacturer without labels or signatures present. Other well known manufacturers that have produced glassware in the sommerso style include Mandruzzato, Galliano Ferro, Formia, Oball, and Arte Nuova.

See also: Murano Faceted Glass and Murano Glass Geodes

Important note on Flavio Poli: As mentioned, Flavio Poli helped to make the sommerso style famous. This has had the unfortunate side effect that nowadays, whenever someone sees a sommerso design, they often assume it was designed by Flavio Poli, despite the fact that there is strong evidence, via catalogues and labelled examples, that almost every factory on the island of Murano has produced sommerso glassware. There are also actually very few designs that can be positively attributed to Flavio Poli. He worked at I.V.A.M. from 1929 - 1934, Seguso Vetri d'Arte from 1934 - 1963, and led the artistic glass division at Società Veneziana di Conterie e Cristallerie from 1964 - 1966. It was at SVA where he began working with sommerso designs after the war. The only published information on Flavio Poli designs is in the book Seguso Vetri D'Arte: Glass Objects from Murano (1932 1973): Complete Catalogue Since 1933, by Marc Heiremans. Any Flavio Poli attributions that cannot be referenced in this book, are extremely unlikely to be true. In over 15 years of dealing in vintage art glass, and selling many thousands of sommerso glass items, I can honestly say that I have only ever had one or two pieces that were designed by Flavio Poli. I have had a few pieces by Seguso Vertri d'Arte, but even those were either designer unknown, or designed by Mario Pinzoni, who took over as chief designer after Flavio Poli left. Sadly, this myth just keeps on growing, as people simply assume "if everyone says it, it must be true". The truth is that 99.9% of Flavio Poli attributions found online, or at antique fairs, or even famous auction houses and a few Murano glass books, are wrong. I'll say it one last time loud and clear in a futile attempt to dispel the myth:

Most Sommerso Designs Are Not By Flavio Poli!

That single sentence is the most important thing to learn about sommerso glass. Please take it with you, and spread the word.

Buy Murano Sommerso Glass Products in our Online Glass Store
Seguso Vetri d'Arte #12078 Blue Sommerso Glass Vase by Flavio Poli

A dark grey and blue Murano glass sommerso vase. Made by Seguso Vetri d'Arte, pattern number 12078, designed in 1958 by Flavio Poli.

Reference: click here.

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Signed Flavio Poli Sommerso Candlesticks

A pair of green, amber and clear Murano glass sommerso candlestick holders. Made by Seguso Vetri d'Arte, signed.

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Glass Perfume Bottle - Flavio Poli

A green and blue Murano glass sommerso perfume bottle. Made by Seguso Vetri d'Arte, pattern number 13937/P, labelled. Most likely designed by Mario Pinzoni.

Reference: click here.

Archimede Seguso Murano Sommerso Glass Bowl - Labelled

A purple and pink sommerso Murano glass ashtray bowl. Made by Archimede Seguso, labelled.

Galliano Ferro Murano Sommerso Amber & Uranium Glass Stem Vase - Label

An amber and uranium yellow green Murano sommerso glass stem vase. Made by Galliano Ferro, labelled.

Galliano Ferro Murano Sommerso Purple & Blue Glass Stem Vase

A purple, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass stem vase. Made by Galliano Ferro.

Galliano Ferro Murano Sommerso Green & Amber Glass Stem Vase

A green, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass stem vase. Made by Galliano Ferro.

Galliano Ferro Murano Sommerso Red & Blue Glass Stem Vase

A red, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass stem vase. Made by Galliano Ferro.

Galliano Ferro Murano Sommerso Orange & Amber Glass Stem Vase - Label

An orange and amber Murano sommerso glass vase. Made by Galliano Ferro, labelled.

SIGNED L. Onesto Oball Murano Blue Sommerso Glass Vase

A blue triple cased Murano sommerso glass vase. Made by Oball, labelled, and signed by Luigi Onesto.

SIGNED L. Onesto Oball Murano Blue & Purple Sommerso Glass Vase

A blue, pink, turquoise and clear Murano multi-layered sommerso vase. Made by Oball, designed by Luigi Onesto, signed.

SIGNED L. Onesto Oball Murano Blue & Purple Sommerso Glass Vase

A blue, green and clear Murano multi-layered sommerso heart shaped vase. Made by Oball, designed by Michele Onesto (son of Luigi), signed and labelled.

Oball Murano Pink + White Sommerso Glass Vase - Labelled

A pink, white and clear Murano sommerso glass vase. Made by Oball, labelled.

Oball Murano Pink + White Sommerso Glass Vase - Labelled

A pink, white and clear Murano sommerso glass vase. Made by Oball, labelled.

LABELLED Oball Murano Pink & Black Sommerso Glass Teardrop Vase

A pink, black and clear Murano sommerso organic glass vase. Made by Oball, labelled.

LABELLED Oball Murano Pink & Black Sommerso Glass Organic Vase

A pink, black and clear Murano sommerso organic glass vase. Made by Oball, labelled.

Arte Nuova Pustetto & Zanetti Murano Sommerso Uranium Glass Vase

A brown, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass vase. Made by Arte Nuova, labelled.

Arte Nuova Pustetto & Zanetti Murano Sommerso Uranium Glass Vase

A brown, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass vase. Made by Arte Nuova.

Arte Nuova Pustetto & Zanetti Murano Sommerso Uranium Glass Vase

A green, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass vase. Made by Arte Nuova. the exact same item can be found online with a label that reads "Arte Nuova Murano, Grand Prize, Genuine Venetian Glass, World Fair Brussels, 1958".

Reference: [click here].

Arte Nuova Pustetto & Zanetti Murano Sommerso Uranium Glass Vase

A purple, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass vase. Made by Arte Nuova.

Arte Nuova Murano Brown & Amber Sommerso Glass Bowl - Labelled

A brown, amber and clear triangular Murano sommerso glass ashtray bowl. Made by Arte Nuova, labelled.

Arte Nuova Murano Green & Amber Sommerso Glass Bowl

A green, amber and clear triangular Murano sommerso glass ashtray bowl. Made by Arte Nuova.

Arte Nuova Murano Blue & Uranium Yellow Sommerso Glass Bowl

A blue, uranium yellow and clear triangular Murano sommerso glass ashtray bowl. Made by Arte Nuova.

Arte Nuova Murano Blue & Uranium Yellow Sommerso Glass Bowl

A blue, uranium yellow and clear rectangular Murano sommerso glass ashtray bowl. Made by Arte Nuova.

Arte Nuova Pustetto & Zanetti Murano Sommerso Uranium Glass Vase

A pink, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass sculpture vase / bowl. Made by Arte Nuova, labelled.

Arte Nuova Pustetto & Zanetti Murano Sommerso Uranium Glass Vase

A green, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass vase. Made by Arte Nuova, labelled.

Murano 1950's Turquoise & Blue Sommerso Glass Vase

A turquoise and blue Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano 1950's Turquoise & Blue Sommerso Glass Stem Vase

A turquoise and blue Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano / Venetian Pink & Blue Sommerso Glass Vase

A pink, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano / Venetian Brown & Amber Sommerso Glass Vase

A brown, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano / Venetian Vintage Amber Sommerso Glass Vase

A brown, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano / Venetian Vintage Amber Sommerso Glass Vase

A brown, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano / Venetian Purple & Blue Sommerso Glass Vase

A purple, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano / Venetian Green & Amber Sommerso Glass Vase

A green, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Sommerso Pink Glass Vase

A pink, green, amber and clear Murano sommerso organic glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Sommerso Organic Green Glass Vase

A green, amber, blue and clear Murano sommerso organic glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Purple & Blue Sommerso Glass Vase

A pink, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano / Venetian Green & Amber Sommerso Glass Vase

A green, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano / Venetian Brown & Amber Sommerso Glass Vase

A reddish brown, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano / Venetian Pink & Blue Sommerso Glass Vase

A pink, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Cristallo Venezia CCC Murano Green & Pink Cased Glass Bowl

A green, pink and clear Murano sommerso glass sculptural bowl. Made by Cristallo Venezia CCC. Reference: [click here].

Cristallo Venezia CCC Murano Pink & Green Sommerso Glass Bowl

A green, pink and clear Murano sommerso glass sculptural bowl. Made by Cristallo Venezia CCC.

Cristallo Venezia CCC Murano Green & Amber Sommerso Glass Bowl

A green, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass sculptural bowl. Made by Cristallo Venezia CCC.

Cristallo Venezia Murano Green & Amber Sommerso Glass Sculpture Bowl

A green, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass sculptural bowl. Probably made by Cristallo Venezia CCC.

Cristallo Venezia CCC Murano Pink & Blue Sommerso Glass Bowl

A pink, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass sculptural bowl. Probably made by Cristallo Venezia CCC.

Cristallo Venezia CCC Murano Pink & Blue Sommerso Glass Bowl

A pink and blue Murano sommerso glass sculptural bowl. Probably made by Cristallo Venezia CCC.

Cristallo Venezia CCC Murano Green & Amber Sommerso Glass Bowl

A green and amber Murano sommerso glass sculptural bowl. Probably made by Cristallo Venezia CCC.

Artistica Murano CCC Vintage Purple & Blue Sommerso Glass Fish Figurine

A purple, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass fish sculpture. Made by Artistica Murano CCC.

Reference: [click here].

Murano/Venetian Purple & Blue Sommerso Glass Vase

A purple, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Purple & Blue Sommerso Glass Vase

A purple, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano / Venetian Purple & Blue Vintage Sommerso Glass Vase

A purple, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Purple & Blue Sommerso Glass Vase

A purple, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Red & Green Sommerso Glass Vase

A red, green and clear Murano sommerso glass vase. A vase in these colours with a Fratelli Toso label, was shared in a Murano Facebook group, but we are unsure if the label belongs (no other examples seen so far).

Reference: [click here].

Murano/Venetian Red & Green Sommerso Glass Vase

A red, green and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Red & Green Sommerso Glass Vase

A red, green and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Red & Green Sommerso Glass Vase

A red, green and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Blue & Uranium Sommerso Glass Vase/Jug

A blue, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Blue & Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Vase

A blue, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Blue & Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Vase

A blue, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Blue & Green Sommerso Glass Basket Vase

A blue, green and clear Murano sommerso glass basket shaped vase.

Murano/Venetian Red & Uranium Sommerso Glass Basket Vase

A red, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass basket shaped vase.

Murano/Venetian Red & Peach Sommerso Glass Vase

A red, peach and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Orange & Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Vase

An orange, uranium green and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Grey & Blue Sommerso Glass Vase

A smoky grey, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

LABELLED Murano/Venetian Orange & Amber Sommerso Glass Stem Vase

An orange, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase. Label reads "Genuine Venetian Glass, Made in Murano, Italy".

Murano/Venetian Green & Amber Sommerso Glass Vase

A green, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Green & Peach Sommerso Glass Vase

An orange, uranium green and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Sommerso 1950's Brown & Amber Glass Vase

A brown, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Sommerso 1950's Blue & Green Glass Vase

A blue, green and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano Vintage Green & Amber Sommerso Cased Glass Vase

A green, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano Vintage Brown & Amber Sommerso Glass Vase

A brown, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano Red, Amber & Blue Sommerso Glass Cylinder Vase

A red, amber and blue Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano 1950's Green & Amber Sommerso Glass Vase

A green, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano / Venetian Red & Amber Vintage Sommerso Glass Vase

A red, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano / Venetian Green & Amber Sommerso Glass Vintage Vase

A green, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

HUGE Murano Purple & Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Vase

A purple, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass vase.

Murano/Venetian Purple & Green Sommerso Glass Stem Vase

A purple and green Murano sommerso glass stem vase.

Murano/Venetian Red & Amber Sommerso Glass Stem Vase

A red, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass stem vase, with generic Murano glass label.

Murano Italian Pink & Blue Sommerso Cased Glass Stem Vase

A pink, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass stem vase.

Murano / Venetian Brown & Amber Sommerso Glass Stem Vase

A brown, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass stem vase.

Murano/Venetian Red & Blue Sommerso Glass Vase/Jug

A red, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass jug.

Murano/Venetian Green & Yellow Sommerso Glass Vase/Jug

A green, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass jug, with Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano/Venetian Purple & Green Sommerso Glass Vase/Jug

A purple, green and clear Murano sommerso glass jug.

Murano/Venetian Pink & Amber Sommerso Glass Vase/Jug

A pink, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass jug.

Murano/Venetian Red & Uranium Sommerso Glass Vase/Jug

A red and uranium green Murano sommerso glass jug, with Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano/Venetian Red & Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Jug/Vase

A red and uranium yellow Murano sommerso glass jug.

Murano Blue & Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Jug/Vase

A blue and uranium green Murano sommerso glass jug.

Murano/Venetian Red & Blue Sommerso Glass Jug/Vase

A red and blue Murano sommerso glass jug.

Murano Sommerso Turquoise Green Uranium Glass Stem Vase

A turquoise blue and uranium green Murano sommerso glass vase. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano/Sommerso 1950's Blue Glass Perfume/Scent Bottle

A dark blue and pale blue Murano sommerso glass perfume bottle. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano Blue Sommerso 1950's Glass Decorative Bottle

A blue Murano sommerso glass decorative bottle.

Murano Red + Amber Sommerso Glass Decorative Bottle

A red and amber Murano sommerso glass decorative bottle.

Murano Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Decorative Bottle

A turquoise and uranium yellow Murano sommerso glass decorative bottle.

Murano Green + Yellow Sommerso Glass Decorative Bottle

A green, yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass decorative bottle.

Murano Green & Amber Sommerso Cased Glass Sculpture Bowl

A green and amber Murano sommerso glass sculpture bowl.

Murano Blue & Amber Sommerso Glass Organic Sculpture Bowl

A blue and amber Murano sommerso glass sculpture bowl.

Murano Red & Amber Sommerso Glass Organic Sculpture Bowl

A red and amber Murano sommerso glass sculpture bowl. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano Red & Amber Sommerso Glass Organic Sculpture Bowl

A red and amber Murano sommerso glass sculpture bowl. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano Blue/Amber Sommerso Glass Organic Sculpture Bowl

A blue and amber Murano sommerso glass sculpture bowl. Bears a red foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano Green/Amber Sommerso Glass Organic Sculpture Bowl

A green and amber Murano sommerso glass sculpture bowl.

Murano Blue & Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Cockerel Figurine

A turquoise blue and uranium green Murano sommerso glass cockerel figurine. Bears a foil Hans Geismar "HG Venetian Art Glass" import label.

Murano Red & Lilac / Blue Neodymium Sommerso Glass Swan Figurine

A red and lilac / blue Murano sommerso neodymium glass swan with a bolle controlled bubble effect.

Murano/Sommerso Green & Amber Bubble Glass Swan Sculpture

A green, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass swan with a bolle controlled bubble effect.

Murano/Venetian Red & Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Swan

A red, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass swan with a bolle controlled bubble effect.

Murano Purple & Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Swan Figurine

A purple and uranium yellow Murano sommerso glass swan figurine.

Murano Amber & Uranium Yellow Sommerso Glass Swan Figurine

An amber and uranium yellow Murano sommerso glass swan figurine.

Murano / Sommerso Uranium Green & Pink Glass Swan Sculpture

A pink and uranium yellow Murano sommerso glass swan figurine.

Murano Purple & Blue Sommerso Glass Swan Figurine

A purple, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass swan figurine.

Murano/Sommerso Blue & Uranium Cased Glass Swan Sculpture

A blue and uranium yellow Murano sommerso glass swan figurine.

Murano/Sommerso Brown & Amber Cased Glass Swan Sculpture

A brown and amber Murano sommerso glass swan figurine.

Murano Red, Amber & Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Swan Figurine

A red, amber and uranium green Murano sommerso glass swan figurine with generic Murano glass label.

Murano Red & Amber Cased Sommerso Glass Swan Figurine

A red and amber Murano sommerso glass swan figurine.

Murano Blue & Amber Sommerso Glass Swan or Duck Figurine

An amber, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass swan or duck figurine.

Murano Blue & Amber Sommerso Glass Swan Figurine

A blue, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass swan figurine.

Murano/Venetian Green & Uranium Sommerso Glass Fish

A green, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass fish sculpture.

Murano Vintage Orange & Amber Sommerso Glass Fish Sculpture

An orange, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass fish sculpture.

Aldo Bon Large Murano Red & Amber Sommerso Glass Fish Sculpture

A red, amber and clear Murano sommerso glass fish sculpture. Made by the Vetreria Artigiana Aldo Bon factory, labelled.

Aldo Bon Large Murano Red & Amber Sommerso Glass Fish Sculpture

Label reads "Murano, A Bon".

Cimarosti & Pinzan V. A. C. Murano Purple Sommerso Glass Bowl

A purple and green Murano sommerso glass sculpture bowl, made by the V. A. C. glassworks, which was owned by Giovanni Pinzan, Bruno Cimarosti and Giovanni Andreotta. Labelled.

Cimarosti & Pinzan V. A. C. Murano Purple Sommerso Glass Bowl

Label reads "V. A. C. Murano, Cimarosti & Pinzan".

HUGE Murano / Venetian Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Bowl

A green, uranium yellow and clear Murano sommerso glass bowl.

Murano Italian Red & Amber Sommerso Glass Vintage Vase

A red and amber Murano sommerso glass sculpture vase.

Murano Green & Amber Sommerso Glass Vintage Sculpture Vase

A green and amber Murano sommerso glass sculpture vase.

Murano/Venetian Blue & Uranium Green Sommerso Glass Bowl

A blue and uranium yellow Murano sommerso glass bowl.

Murano Red & Amber Sommerso Glass Organic Sculpture Bowl

A red and amber Murano sommerso glass bowl.

Murano / Venetian Blue & Amber Sommerso Glass Basket Vase

A blue and amber Murano sommerso glass sculpture vase.


View more Murano Sommerso Glass examples in our Glass Reference Database
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Murano Sommerso Glass on eBay USA

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Reference Websites

For more information on Murano Sommerso glass, check out the following resources:

www.glasspheme.com - Interesting article on Chinese made sommerso teardrop paperweights being sold as Murano.