Vintage Swedish Ashtray in Sommerso Glass from FM Konstglas, Ronneby, 1960s for sale at Pamono

Description

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Peculiar and refined heart-shaped blown glass ashtray; the signature under the object tells us that it was produced between 1960 and 1965 by FM Konstglas a Swedish glass company based in Ronneby; the technique used is vetro sommerso (submerged glass), a technique first devised in Murano in the late 1930s; the ashtray consists of a layer of glass of varying thickness to which several layers of different colors obtained by dipping the glass in crucibles of different colors have been superimposed by heat; at this point the craftsman has molded the glassy mass into the shape of a heart, making the colors fade artistically; in addition, he has inserted a myriad of small infusions of a glass of other colors at the bottom of the heart; the ashtray once cooled has been polished by hand. The artifact results, thus, formed of several layers of different thicknesses and colors such, as to create incredible chromatic effects and decorations within the object itself, in fact, the infusions placed on the bottom, produce extraordinary refractions and optical colorations depending on how they are hit by light. Sweden is known for its glass and crystal, which is among the most prestigious in the world. The first Swedish glassworks was founded in 1742 by two generals in Charles XII’s army. Before them, it was in Italy, and more specifically in Venice, that Sweden sourced its glass and assimilated the incredible and prestigious workmanship of the Venetian glass masters. The two men, therefore, set up a small factory that they called Kosta. But since glassblowers were rare in Sweden and Venetian glassblowers were virtually impossible to get them away from their city, they were forced to resort to Bohemian labor. The Bohemians are thus the basis of Swedish glassmaking. In the south of the country today there is a glass road between Kalmar and Vaxjo, a road on which you will meet and visit many glassworks, including Kosta Boda; other important and famous Swedish glassworks are Orrefors and Maleras. Measures length cm.18, width cm.14, height cm.7. The ashtray is in good condition.