Italian Murano Glass Chandelier in the Manner of Seguso, 1940s

Distinguished by its arrangement of clear glass, sweeping curved arms, and sculptural proportions, an Italian Murano glass chandelier from the 1940s, in the manner of Seguso.

The central body rises in a dramatic flared silhouette, its elongated trumpet-shaped form defined by vertical ribs that extend upward and outward toward a broad, undulating rim. A shallow domed glass canopy rests above, repeating the same radiating pattern and creating a layered composition. At the crown, a ribbed spherical element supports a small, flower-like glass finial, completing the chandelier with a sense of symmetry.

Surrounding the central body, three thick, transparent glass arms extend outward in S-shaped curves. Each supports an upward-facing, tulip-shaped glass cup with a gently flared, irregular rim. The arms have a remarkable fluidity, appearing almost as though they were drawn in a single continuous gesture.

Below the central body, a wide brass band anchors the composition, while a stepped glass bowl with concentric horizontal ridges sits beneath, creating a second rhythm of texture before tapering toward a suspended teardrop pendant.

The design recalls the glassmaking traditions associated with Seguso, one of Murano's most celebrated glassmaking families. During the early and mid-20th century, Murano workshops explored increasingly expressive forms, combining traditional glassworking techniques with modern approaches to proportion and decoration. The chandelier reflects that sensibility through its combination of fluid glass elements, carefully repeated details, and an overall composition that feels both ornamental and controlled.

When illuminated, the individual light sources become visible through the clear glass, their reflections multiplied by the surrounding ribs and curved surfaces. The chandelier takes on a warm, crystalline quality, with the glass appearing to hold and redirect light rather than simply diffuse it. Unlit, its transparency allows the surrounding architecture to remain visible, giving a substantial decorative fixture an unexpectedly airy presence.

About Seguso
The Seguso family has shaped Murano glassmaking since the 14th century, but modern collectors mainly associate the name with two 20th-century firms: Seguso Vetri d’Arte and Vetreria Archimede Seguso. Seguso Vetri d’Arte flourished under designer Flavio Poli, whose modern forms, bold color experimentation, and innovations like sommerso and corroso became highly collectible.

Archimede Seguso, who founded his own workshop in 1946, focused on classical techniques reinterpreted through a modern lens, creating richly decorative yet refined works such as Losanghe and Merletto vessels. Together, these studios produced some of the most accomplished and influential glass designs of the modern era.