Vetreria Artistica Oball (known as Oball Glass) was founded on the island of Murano in 1978 by master glassmaker Luigi Onesto. Born into a traditional Venetian glassmaking family, Onesto had been immersed in the craft from an early age, beginning his formal apprenticeship at just 15 years old at the historic Gambaro & Poggi furnaces.
When Onesto eventually established his own independent studio, he was joined by his sons, Fabio and Michele, turning Oball into a multi-generational family enterprise that continues to operate today.
In the vintage collecting world, Oball Glass is celebrated almost exclusively for its absolute mastery of the sommerso (submerged) technique. Onesto and his sons created incredibly heavy, highly polished vessels by suspending vibrant, contrasting layers of coloured glass - often brilliant jewel tones like amethyst, ruby, and sapphire - within a thick, crystal-clear outer casing. Their most sought-after late-20th-century pieces include sweeping teardrop vases, geometric perfume bottles, and intricate marine sculptures.
For collectors looking to authenticate these finds, Oball pieces are frequently hand-engraved on the base with signatures such as 'L. Onesto Murano' or simply 'Oball'. Additionally, because their spectacular sommerso pieces were highly prized in the Western market, they can frequently be found bearing the original foil labels of major luxury importers, most notably the prominent American distributor Oggetti.
THIS LISTING
Model Perfume Bottle
Colour Pink, Purple
Production 1970s/80s
Dimensions 46cm (18") tall
Condition Excellent condition. There is one small spot of scuffs on the stopper, a light scratch on one side and some light surface wear on the base - all as per the images. Signed by the master himself, Luigi.
This is the largest of the three sizes made in this incredible model. It is one of the heaviest glass pieces we've ever had, coming in at over 11.5kg (25lbs).
