Ferro for Toso Murano Art Glass Clam Shell Ashtray

SOLD Retro modern Italian glass clamshell ashtray from the 1950s.

Made at  Vetreria Fratelli Toso in the 1950s by Vittorio Ferro.  Credit for the "Tutti Frutti" pattern is given to Dino Martens in the 1940s of AV.E.M.   Stunning example of early mid century modernist Italian art glass.

Blown emerald green glass layered with silver leaf aventurine, layered again with colorful cannes and entirely encased in cristallo (clear).  In original condition with no chips or cracks.  A maker's miss of a small burst air bubble on the surface can be seen in image 3.

Label remnant remains on the base but has no writing, just the shape.  At one time the label read "Genuine Murano Glass Ferro Italarts Made in Italy".  New owner should not remove the remnant, the shape of the label is a clue to its identity and age. A remnant of a label from a different bowl is shown with the artist info below the product images.

This beautiful ashtray with a deep bowl was made for multi-purposes.

Measures 5" round, 2.5" deep.  Hand blown. Polished base. Heat finished rims.  Weighs 1 lb.  Large companion bowl, discovered with the small bowl, is shown in image 7, and available separately. Clicking on image 7 will take you to the large folded bowl catalog page.

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Vittorio Ferro - From 1945 trains as a glassblower at Vetreria Fratelli Toso in Murano (ITA) under the supervision of his uncles, Armando and Amleto Zuffi, and trains at the Scuola di Desegno per Maestri Vetrai a Murano. From 1952-81 master glassblower at Vetreria Fratelli Toso, from 1981-98 master glassblower at Vetreria de Majo. From 1998 freelance. Ferro makes hand-blown glass with 'murrine' inclusions and uses mosaic techniques.

credit glasmarken-lexikon