Large Black Glass Bird with Bubble Feathers, in the Style of Murano, Fumato and Bullicante

The design of this beautiful crystal bird uses techniques well-known to glass makers in Murano, Italy. The Fumato technique produces the smoky gray internal pattern, and the intentional presence of bubbles in the glass is refered to as Bullicante. Many Italian glassmakers have used these techniques, including Josef and Benito Marcolin, who brought their training to Ronneby, Sweden.

I have been assured that this is not a Marcolin piece, but I haven't been able to ID it. One theory is that it is a Murano piece, sold by an importer called Parlane in the 1970s. Another theory is that it was made in China and was marketed by Crystal Clear Collectibles. Since it is unsigned and unlabeled, I have no way of knowing. In any case, the fumato and bullicante elements are present and sparkling. The bird is 10 inches long and 6 inches tall, and it weighs about three pounds. It is in excellent condition. The black glass base acts as a mirror when the bird is near a bright, colorful scene. You can see this effect in a few of my photos.

According to a man who worked at Ronneby, this is how the Fumato technique was done...
You take some amethyst-colored glass as a base for the barrel, press it down into a mold full of inward-facing "tips / spikes" so that pointed cavities form in the glass. Lift the barrel a little and spin it slightly so that the glass turns a little (to get a feather / scales pattern). Take up the barrel with the now slightly solidified glass and place the barrel "over" the heating oven so that the smoke from there sticks to the glass. Then take clear glass on top of the solidified, "smoked" amethyst glass and start sculpting. - Easy as pie! :-)