Extraordinary sculptural ashtray made by Gianfranco Mandruzzato in Murano between the 1960s and 1970s, an emblematic example of his research on submerged glass and faceted geometry.
The work features a compact and monumental form, obtained through the superimposition of multiple layers of colored glass: an internal core in cobalt blue glass is immersed in a substantial amber layer and subsequently encased in a thick crystalline shell.
The upper and side surfaces are hand-ground with diamond precision to create perfectly polished geometric planes, while the lower part is deliberately left irregular and material, with an “icy” texture typical of the Mandruzzato workshop.
This dialogue between clear transparencies and raw surfaces creates a sculptural contrast of great plastic strength: light enters, is captured by the thicknesses, and returned through warm and deep tones that recall submerged glass of the finest Murano tradition. The faceted cut, rigorous and architectural, is a distinctive hallmark of Mandruzzato’s workmanship of the 1960s, a period in which the family brought grinding techniques to the highest levels of Venetian glass design.
A decorative object of great presence, heavy, balanced, and iconic, perfect for collectors of Murano glass and for modern interiors that enhance sculptural pieces with strong visual impact.
Product Name: Sculptural submerged glass ashtray by Gianfranco Mandruzzato Murano 1970
Designer: Gianfranco Mandruzzato, Murano
Year of Design: Between the 1960s and 1970s
Style: Sculptural, geometric, and faceted Murano design, with strong research on transparency, light, and volumes
Main Materials: Multi-layer submerged glass with cobalt blue core, intermediate amber layer, and thick crystalline shell; hand-ground sections and material lower surface with “icy” texture
Distinctive Design: Compact and monumental form obtained through the superimposition of multiple layers of colored glass; upper and side surfaces hand-ground with diamond precision to create polished geometric planes; contrast between clear transparencies and raw surfaces; irregular lower texture typical of the Mandruzzato workshop; rigorous and architectural faceted cut emblematic of 1960s workmanship
Dimensions: Length 14 cm | Width 14 cm | Height 7 cm
Comfort: Heavy, stable, and perfectly balanced structure
Typical Use: Sculptural decorative object, ashtray or centerpiece; ideal for collectors of Murano glass and for modern interiors that enhance artistic pieces with strong visual impact
Design Icon: Representative example of the finest Murano tradition of submerged glass and of Mandruzzato’s mastery in grinding during the 1960s
Versatility: Perfect both as a standalone decorative element and when placed in contemporary, vintage, or artistic design contexts; easily integrates into modern interiors, private collections, and curatorial environments
Current Condition of the Design: Absolutely no chipping of the glass
Additional Notes: Please note that this object is in excellent vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We invite you to consider these characteristics before purchase.
Gianfranco Mandruzzato was one of the most important interpreters of Murano glass of the second half of the twentieth century, heir to the historic family furnace founded in 1934 and renowned for the extremely high technical quality of its workmanship. Active mainly from the 1950s to the 1980s, Mandruzzato developed a personal research on submerged glass and cold grinding, bringing these techniques to unprecedented levels of sculptural refinement. His works are characterized by compact and monumental volumes, often cubic or prismatic in form, generated by the superimposition of layers of colored glass — blue, amber, green, ruby red — immersed in a thick crystalline shell. The distinctive element of his language is the masterful use of the diamond grinding wheel, which allowed him to create perfectly polished surfaces, rigorous geometric cuts, and architectural faceting that capture and refract light in a unique way. This is contrasted by the typical “icy” base, deliberately irregular and material, a recognizable hallmark of the Mandruzzato workshop. His pieces — vases, sculptures, bowls, and ashtrays — are today particularly sought after by collectors for their artisanal precision, plastic strength, and balance between Murano tradition and modernist aesthetics. In summary, Mandruzzato is considered a reference figure in the history of submerged glass and one of the masters who brought Murano grinding to the highest levels of postwar design.