Elio Raffaeli Animal Sculptures

For your consideration is a fabulous, purple Murano glass art table sculpture of a fish, signed by Elio Raffaeli, circa 1970s. In excellent condition. The dimensions are 13.5" W x 5"...

Large "Aquarium glass sculpture by Elio Raffaeli (Italy, b-1936). Measures: 12" L x 10.5" H x 5.5" D, weight 33 pounds. Glass is excellent, but does have some scratches to the bottom. Base pictured is for picture display only and not included (not recommended to place art glass on stone mantle or bases without a felt cushion due to temperature changes in cold climates). Elio was born in Venice in 1936 to a Muranese (Murano) family, Elio Raffaeli lived and studied on the Island of Murano, the glassblowing capital of Venice. At the age of fifteen (1951), he was hired by the Seguso-Dalla Venezia glass factory where he made the acquaintance of Piero Scaramal, his first master. There he was taught the basic secrets of the magic art of Murano. Raffaeli worked with Scaramal for seven years, first as a garzone and subsequently as first assistant, maturing both as a person and as a glassblower. Changes at the Seguso-Dalla Venezia factory compelled him to move to another prestigious firm, Salviati. Here Raffaeli refined his capabilities as a glass master, perfecting both the techniques of blowing delicate glass pieces and those of making solid glass sculpture. In 1966 he moved on to a newly formed factory, Briati, where he was hired as a master and given a piazza. Here he began to interpret with balanced precision the designs of the famous Flavio Poli. Next Raffaeli went to work with Livio Seguso, one of the great 20th century sculptors, where he forged a working relationship and friendship with the young Roberto Cammozzo...

Murano glass bird made by master glass blower Elio Raffaeli.