This rare and exceptionally striking Oscar Zanetti Murano glass sculpture depicts a graceful ballerina captured in a dynamic dancing pose. Standing an impressive 17½ inches (44.5 cm) tall and weighing approximately 2.73 kg, it is a substantial and highly decorative example of contemporary Murano glass artistry.
The sculpture is signed Oscar Zanetti to the side of the cylindrical glass base and retains its Murano label. Zanetti is a celebrated Murano glass master whose work is particularly admired for his sculptural use of richly coloured chalcedony glass.
The dancer appears to come alive through the sculpture's elegant, sinuous lines and flowing posture. The figure has a particularly spectacular colour progression, with golden tones dominating the upper section before gradually blending into a vivid spectrum of colours below. The effect is wonderfully reminiscent of an elaborate theatrical costume.
Exceptional Chalcedony Glass
The sculpture is made using chalcedony glass, one of the most distinctive and visually fascinating forms of Venetian art glass. Chalcedony glass is created through the complex interaction of metallic oxides and other colouring agents within the glass, producing irregular, natural-looking veining and colour variations reminiscent of minerals such as agate, jasper, onyx and chalcedony.
This particular example is especially attractive because the coloured glass appears to be thickly cased in clear glass, giving the sculpture remarkable optical depth. As light passes through the clear casing and interacts with the coloured interior, the colours shift and become particularly vibrant in natural or directional lighting.
The glass has been worked using the massello technique, in which solid rather than blown glass is shaped while hot. The resulting sculpture has considerable weight and density, giving the dancer an impressive presence.
The cylindrical solid-glass base provides a substantial and elegant foundation for the figure and allows the spectacular colours within the sculpture to be appreciated from every angle.
A Rare Collectors' Piece
The combination of Oscar Zanetti's signature, Murano provenance, substantial scale, sculptural form and spectacular rainbow chalcedony colouring makes this a particularly desirable piece for collectors of fine Venetian glass.
It would make a superb statement piece in a display cabinet, living room, entrance hall or dedicated glass collection. Equally, its association with dance and performance could make it an exceptional trophy, commemorative or special occasion gift.
This is the type of Murano sculpture that rewards repeated viewing, with the colours and internal patterns changing dramatically according to the surrounding light.
Measurements
Height: 17½ in. (44.5 cm)
Base width: 3¼ in. (8.3 cm)
Weight: 2.73 kg
Condition
Excellent antique/vintage condition, with no chips or scratches noted. There is some minor shelf wear commensurate with age and display. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form part of the condition description.
About Oscar Zanetti
Oscar Zanetti (b. 1961) comes from one of Murano's historic glassmaking families. He grew up surrounded by the furnaces and glassmaking tradition of Murano and subsequently developed into a highly accomplished maestro in his own right.
Zanetti is particularly recognised for his sculptural work and his mastery of technically demanding forms of coloured glass, including chalcedony. His work demonstrates the extraordinary difficulty of manipulating glass containing complex mixtures of colour-producing materials while maintaining both structural integrity and artistic control.
The relationship between the glassmaker and the material is fundamental to Zanetti's approach: the glass must be carefully guided while hot, with timing, temperature and movement all playing an essential role in determining the final result.
About Chalcedony Glass
Murano chalcedony glass is a highly distinctive decorative glass designed to imitate the appearance of naturally occurring semi-precious stones. Its complex colouring can produce feathered, cloudy, banded and mineral-like patterns, often with several colours appearing within a single piece.
The technique has historical roots in Venetian glassmaking and was revived and developed by Murano glassmakers during the 19th century. Its unpredictability is part of its appeal: each piece can display a completely individual arrangement of colour and veining.
This particular sculpture is an especially impressive example, with its rainbow spectrum of colours, golden upper body and deeply optical clear-glass casing creating a truly spectacular effect.
A wonderful connoisseur's piece — rare, substantial, beautifully made and exceptionally decorative.
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