Hi Erin,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

This is Murano.

Frosted (or satin-finished) glass has a long and important history in Murano, although it's often overshadowed by the island's more famous techniques like millefiori, sommerso, filigrana, and gold aventurine.

The technique is called satinato, which uses acid to produce that smooth, velvety matte surface. Unlike sandblasting, acid etching creates an even finish that diffuses light beautifully, soften colors, emphasizes sculptural forms and gives the glass a silky feel. It was a technique that was very popular beginning in the 1950s and continuing through the 1980s.

Archimede Seguso, Barbini, Betreria Artistica Oball and Cenedese are some of the Murano glassworks who produced pieces similar to this.

If this were to come to auction (the secondary market, not to be confused with the primary/retail market), this would likely sell for between $150 and $250 but it's better to call it a small bowl rather than an ashtray, which can be much harder to get people to buy these days.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia