THE ITEM
This tall graceful beauty by Eisch encapsulates a great deal of skillful detail.

The finely pulled feather detail embodied in the purple glass is a pale turquoise and apricot, beginning at the fluted rim and finishing at the base. The iridescence is a crackled gold at the rim and down the neck before fanning out at the bulb into its multitude of colours.

The size of this piece lends to its presence and it would have no difficulty in being displayed as a standalone piece. The style and decor is as reminiscent of Art Nouveau as it is of Loetz Kralik glass yet still carries the artistic creativity of Eisch, and would suit a room with Vintage, Retro or Art Nouveau inspired decor. 

CONDITION

Very good, no chips or cracks, bears surface wear as expected with age of piece, please see photos as part of condition report. Piece is inscripted with signature of 'Eisch' and dated with '1983'.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 18" / 46 cm tall x c. 5.6" / 15 cm diameter.

Unpackaged weight: c. 1.6 kg / 1,560 g

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
The glass-making tradition of the Eisch Family has been traced back to Mathias Alesch, born in the Bohemian Forest in 1689 and listed among the employees of a small glassworks there. In December 1952 the first glass was smelted in what was at the time the latest and smallest glassworks in Bavaria. In spite of initial difficulties, by 1956 Eisch glassworks had expanded to a 12-pot furnace.

The full name - Glashütte Eisch, lies at the heart of the Bavarian Forest, it is here that the Eisch family has been producing hand-made glass for over 60 years. Erwin Eisch has been regarded as the founder of the international studio glass movement since the 1960s, with Harvey Littleton as one of the first artists to use glass as a medium of artistic expression.

THE ITEM

This exquisite set of Swedish Modern miniature ceramics are of four hand thrown works by John Andersson (b. 1899 - d. 1969) of Höganäs Keramik and one Swedish studio pottery piece. 

Each of these works have been masterfully hand thrown and decorated with careful attention as if the piece is full size. The expert skill used to create these pieces is evident in both the gently exaggerated and thin necks of the vases as well as the variation of glaze decor styles. Creativity and artistry in glaze technique is evident in each piece, from the striated sand on chocolate glaze of the taller, solifleur form vase to the dappled golden yellow on stone glaze of the baluster form vase. 

A BIT OF HISTORY

John Andersson (b. 1899 to d. 1969)

Andersson is one of the well-known representatives for illustrious Swedish ceramic design in the 20th century. One of the leading designers and artistic director for the Höganäs Keramik factory in the 1940s to the 1960s, Andersson is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design, The Cultural History Museum in Lund and the Röhsska Konstslöjd Museum in Gothenburg. 

Andersson & Johansson (AJ Höganäs Keramik) 1909 -

The ceramic company AJ (Andersson & Johansson) Keramik was founded in 1909 by Johannes Olofsson and Sigfrid Johansson. The company would later become known as Höganäs Keramik, whose rustic and modern household wares would assume a self-evident place in Swedish design history. Well-known ceramists at AJ /  Höganäs have included John Andersson, Anne Nilsson, Rolf Palm and Lisa Larrson. 

CONDITION

Excellent. No chips, cracks or scratches to any of the pieces - please refer to photos as part of condition report. The underside of each piece is marked as follows:

Vase 1 (Sand / Brown): The underside of the base is marked with John Andersson's inscription of 'AJ Höganäs" of the 'AJ' crossing the 'H' 

Vase 2 (Yellow / Stone): The underside of the base is marked with John Andersson's initials of 'JA' and his inscription of 'AJ Höganäs" of the 'AJ' crossing the 'H' 

Vase 3 (Glacial Green / Stone): The underside of the base is marked with John Andersson's inscription of 'AJ Höganäs" of the 'AJ' crossing the 'H' 

Vase 4 (Tan / Dark Brown): The underside of the base is marked with John Andersson's initials of 'JA' and his inscription of 'AJ Höganäs" of the 'AJ' crossing the 'H' 

Mortar and pestle (Red / Blue): The underside of the base is marked 'AJ' and retains original 'HAND-DREJAT' ('hand stoneware') label. 

MEASUREMENTS

From tallest:

Vase 1 (Sand / Brown): c. 3.1" / 8 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 0.8" / 2.1 cm in width (across body's widest point). Base diameter: c. 0.5" / 1.2 cm

Vase 2 (Yellow / Stone): c. 2.6" / 6.5 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 0.9" / 2.2 cm in width (across body's widest point). Base diameter: c. 0.6" / 1.4 cm

Vase 3 (Glacial Green / Stone): c. 2.1" / 5.4 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 0.8" / 2 cm in width (across body's widest point). Base diameter: c. 0.5" / 1.2 cm

Vase 4 (Tan / Dark Brown): c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 0.8" / 2.1 cm in width (across body's widest point). Base diameter: c. 0.5" / 1.2 cm

Mortar and pestle (Red / Blue): c. 1.2" / 3 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 0.9" / 2.4 cm in width (across body's widest point). Base diameter: c. 0.5" / 1.2 cm

Unpackaged weight [Full set] c. 0.1 kg / 63 g

NOTES

Ceramics set will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

THE ITEM
This exquisitely simple yet detailed work of Modernist art glass is by the renowned Swedish glass artist and designer Sven Palmqvist. 

The sculpted glass features the Kraka technique, developed by Palmqvist in 1944 and creates the illusion of a net within the glass. The net-like pattern is created with the use of copper wire which traps air bubbles when the outer encasing of glass is applied. These beautifully patterned pieces were created by hand. 

This particular piece is a superbly balanced pared ellipse shape and an excellent canvas to highlight the deep Cerulean blue that is interspersed with a swathe of yellow.

The name “Kraka” was inspired by the old Nordic Legend of Kraka from when she appeared before Ragnar Lodbrok to answer his riddle of how you could be “neither dressed, not undressed”, she solved this by appearing wrapped in a fishnet.

CONDITION

Very Good. No chips or cracks. There is mild use wear, most evident in the water staining on the interior of the vase that is commensurate with the age of the piece - please refer to photos as part of the condition report. The base is inscribed with 'ORREFORS, Kraka, PU 322' and Palmqvist's 'Sven Palmqvist' signature. The number of the piece is documented in the number range (numbers: 278 to 338) of pieces produced in 1954. 

MEASUREMENTS

c. 11.5" / 29.2 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 2" /  5.5 cm base diameter. Diameter across widest point: c. 3.5" / 9 cm. Rim diameter: c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm.

Unpackaged weight: c. 2.1 kg / 2,124 g

NOTES

Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Sven Palmqvist (b. 1906 - d. 1984) is best known for his collaboration with the famous glassworks Orrefors where he developed a number of new art glass techniques. In 1944, Orrefors launched Kraka collection featuring the fishnet-like wire mesh pattern set into two layers of glass technique that was developed by Palmqvist. In 1948, came Ravenna, a combination of a coloured glass plate with a glass crusher and a clear glass layer. Another notable success by Palmqvist was Fuga, which involved centrifuging the glass in a scaled and rapidly rotating form, instead of blowing the glass. 

Palmqvist’s distinguished career with Orrefors spanned over four decades, from 1928 until 1971 when he retired. The creative and versatile designer also created a number of commissioned pieces for public spaces including glass sculptures that can be seen in churches in Sweden, the entrance to the SVT television studio in Stockholm, the National Museum of Sweden, the Kalmar Art Museum as well as in the decoration of a ministerial palace in Dubai.

Orrefors Glassworks

Orrefors glassworks (also known as just Orrefors) was a glassworks in the Swedish village Orrefors in Småland. The glassworks created crystal glassware and art glass and their range included crystal stemware, barware, vases, sculptures and lighting in crystal. 

Founded in 1898 on the site of an older iron works, Orrefors originally produced mainly window glass and bottles and it would be 1913 before their range began to expand to drinking glasses and vases. Orrefor's first attempts at art glass making were in the style of the famous French glassworks such Daum and Gallé.

During it's long history, Orrefors was host to a vast number of glass artists and designers including the likes Edward Hald, Vicke Lindstrand, Edvin Öhrström, Anne Nilsson and Sven Palmqvist. 

The original Orrefors glassworks closed in 2012 as the company became part of the Kosta Boda group. 

THE ITEM
This spectacular work of Swedish studio art glass is by Bertil Vallien, (b. 1938 - ) internationally renowned glass artist, sculptor, ceramist and designer. Valien's career in glass began at Boda Glassworks in 1963, upon his return to Sweden from his studies in art and ceramics, both in Sweden and the US. It was his experimentation with sand casting glass techniques that would eventually bring him fame and this fascination is evident even in this exploratory piece.

The form of this piece is gently undulating and biomorphically uneven, shaped from the interior base glass that is a clear and yellow freckled at the base that eventually swirls when it reach reaches the rim. The interior glass is smooth and overlaid with a gentle iridescence all over. 

The exterior layer of decor is of striates in an iridescent and vivid indigo with traces of the sand from the casting and which encircles the piece. The indigo is underlined with one strong stroke of glossy bubbled indigo, textured like lava rock. Beneath the lava rock is an iridescently golden sand colour and texture which finishes at the base with stronger traces of the sand Vallien used to cast the bowl. 

The piece is complimented with two translucent and iridescent, softly waved handles comparable to the fins of a fish or stems of seaweed, which brings further coastal tones. The work is finished with the mark of a the Sun Cross symbol that is characteristic to Vallien's inclusion of symbolism in his sculptures. The overall effect is similar to that of a delicate vessel carved from a geode of quartz crystal and lava with traces of the ocean as adornment.  

This work was created as part of 'Boda', which was a small community that was built glass artists and designers who had their own studio space to create more unique and smaller batched pieces. Boda integrated with Kosta Boda in 1976. 

CONDITION

Superb, there are no chips or cracks, there is one small hairline scratch near the rim - please do see photos as part of condition report. Underside of base is incised with 'BODA, B. VALLIEN, ATELJE 277' . The bowl is also labelled with the 'Handmade, Boda, Sweden' label that was in use prior to the Kosta Boda merging in 1976. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 4.7" / 12 cm x c. 5.4" / 13.7 cm rim diameter, base diameter 2" / 5 cm 

Unpackaged weight: c. 0.6 kg / 618 g

NOTES
Glass will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Born 1938, Bertil Vallien was only 15 when he left home, drawn by the allure of the big city. After a series of occasional jobs, as a window-dresser at one of the main department stores in Stockholm, and as an apprentice in his father's decorating firm, Vallien would eventually decide to become an artist which would lead him into the world of ceramics. The guidance he received in his early career included that of Stig Lindberg - one of Sweden's foremost designers of ceramic art and one of the leading designers for Rörstrand in the 1970's.

A demonstration of Vallien's sand casting process: https://youtu.be/hjW7qoLvwYw

Today, Vallien is one of the most well-known representatives of 20th century Swedish ceramic and art glass design and is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design as well as abroad in the Everson Museum of Art of New York. 

Valiien's works have only become more collectable over the years with sculptures from his Head and Journey (Boat) series fetching up to $20,000 USD. 

THE ITEM
This beautiful work of Swedish studio art glass is by Bertil Vallien (b. 1938 - ), celebrated glass artist, sculptor, ceramist and designer. Valien's career in glass began at Boda Glassworks in 1963, upon his return to Sweden from his studies in art and ceramics, both in Sweden and the US. 

Vallien's experimentation with sand casting glass techniques would eventually bring him fame and this fascination is evident even in this early exploratory piece.

The exterior surface of this piece is undulating, uneven and with a base colour of mottled, frosted white. The next layer of the decor is of striates in iridescent indigo, which encircles the bowl. The iridescence is underlined with one strong streak of glossy bubbled indigo, textured like lava rock. The interior of the bowl is a smooth, semi-matte and frosted layer of glass that is overlaid in iridescence. The overall effect is similar to that of a delicate bowl being carved from a geode of quartz crystal and lava. 

This work was created in 'Boda Atelje' or 'Boda Studio', a small community that was built around glassworks where glass artists and designers had their own studio space to create more unique and smaller batched pieces.

CONDITION

Excellent, there are no chips or cracks, please do see photos as part of condition report. Underside of base is incised with 'BODA, B. VALLIEN, ATELJE 277' . The bowl is also labelled with the 'Handmade, Boda, Sweden' label that was in use prior to the Kosta Boda merging in 1976. 

MEASUREMENTS
Length c. 6.2" / 15.7 cm x c. 4.7" / 12 cm in width x c. 3.7" / 9.5 cm in height

Unpackaged weight: c. 0.4 kg / 420 g

NOTES
Glass will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Born 1938, Bertil Vallien was only 15 when he left home, drawn by the allure of the big city. After a series of occasional jobs, as a window-dresser at one of the main department stores in Stockholm, and as an apprentice in his father's decorating firm, Vallien would eventually decide to become an artist which would lead him into the world of ceramics. The guidance he received in his early career included that of Stig Lindberg - one of Sweden's foremost designers of ceramic art and one of the leading designers for Rörstrand in the 1970's.

A demonstration of Vallien's sand casting process: https://youtu.be/hjW7qoLvwYw

Today, Vallien is one of the most well-known representatives of 20th century Swedish ceramic and art glass design and is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design as well as abroad in the Everson Museum of Art of New York. 

Valiien's works have only become more collectable over the years with sculptures from his Head and Journey (Boat) series fetching up to $20,000 USD.