#1004 A mid-century Italian sommerso art glass basket with dual handles. Red Orange Yellow Tones

6” x 5” No chips or cracks Polished base

During the mid-twentieth century, numerous glassworks outside of Venice operated across Italy, particularly in regions like Empoli, producing vibrant and stylish decorative items. These regional glassmakers exported vast quantities of colorful tableware, baskets, and vases to international markets, capitalizing on the global demand for modern Italian design. Their output often featured bold color palettes and organic forms shaped by free-blowing and mold-blowing techniques.

Finished pieces frequently incorporated polished bases to ensure stability and a clean aesthetic on display surfaces. Homeowners cherished these artistic vessels as mantel ornaments or table centerpieces, using them to catch and reflect light in domestic spaces. Today, these mid-century Italian pieces are appreciated in their own right as versatile examples of post-war European design.