Art Glass, Studio Glass, Handblown Glass

THE ITEM
This tall and graceful work of handblown art glass is by Erwin Eisch, German glass artist and painter.

The form of this piece is beautifully balanced with Art Nouveau and Loetz, Kralik influences yet still retaining the artistic creativity of Eisch. Lightly organic, this piece is finished with an undulating rim. The purple glass has finely 'pulled feather' detail within it that shows off fine bands of turquoise and apricot. The crackled gold iridescence begins at the rim, moves down from the neck and fans out around the body of the vase.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is negligible surface wear that is commensurate with the age of the piece - please refer to photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the base is inscribed with Eisch's signature of 'Eisch' and dated with '1983'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 18" / 46 cm x c. 5.6" / 15 cm diameter (across widest point). 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 pair of crystal glassware carries uncommonly refined vibes and stylised ancient Roman influences. Both glasses ring with a clear, pleasant tone that is characteristic to crystal glassware, bearing beautiful details such as the elegantly silhouetted stems and pressed satin animal head reliefs.

The Azure blue glass has a bowl that has a wide rim that gently tapers downwards into a rounded base, shaped similar to that of a Pousse Café glass. Supporting the bowl is the satined (frosted) pressed glass relief of the double rams head, the glass is finished with a 4-sided square stem.

The Amber orange glass also has a bowl with a wide rim, however, this bowl tapers sharply, forming a 'V' and shape that is classic to a Martini cocktail glass. The bowl is supported by a satined press relief of the double lion heads, the glass is finished with a faceted, staggered diamond stem.

Both pieces are of exceptional quality that is rare in design and versatile to suit a room with Contemporary, Post Modern or Modernist themes.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild wear commensurate with the age of the piece, please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The base is of the Lionhead glass is marked with the manufacturers 'L' logo.

MEASUREMENTS
- Ramshead / blue glass: height c. 9.8" / 25 cm tall (from base to rim) x 3.5" / 9 cm max-width / rim diameter. Base diameter: c. 3.2" / 8.1 cm.
- Lionshead / amber glass: Height c. 9.8" / 24.8 cm tall (from base to rim) x 3.9" / 10 cm max-width / rim diameter. Base diameter: c. 3.2" / 8.2 cm.
Unpackaged weight [Pair] c. 8 kg / 786 g (Ram 374 g, Lion 412 g)

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

THE ITEM
This beautiful work of Modernist sculptural art Plexiglass is by Sochi TPK Art of Sochi, USSR (1922 - 1991).

Plexiglass is a type of acrylic, developed as a lightweight and shatterproof alternative to glass, the Plexiglass of this piece has bubbles introduced into it to create the Pulegoso (internally bubbled) effect. The internal foam Pulegoso makes this piece appear as of it was carved and polished from a giant Carnelian crystal geode. These exceptional foam Pulegoso Plexiglass pieces were produced in very limited quantities of c. 70, making this piece a very rare find.

This retro Modernist piece will make an excellent accent piece to a room with similarly themed Mid Century, Modernist or Retro decor.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips or cracks or repairs. There is mild wear that is predominantly in the form of wear to the underside of the vase and negligible wear to the exterior body. There are a few minor inclusions from the production process and have been mentioned for completeness, please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base bears markings which translate to: 'SOCI TPK. CXcoKK 137 & 11. 11 65'

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 7.9" / 20 cm x width: c. 6.8" / 17.3 cm (across the widest point). Base diameter: c. 3.7" / 9.3 cm. Rim (opening) diameter: c. 4.1" / 10.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: 2,218 g / 2.2 kg / 4.9 lbs.

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

THE ITEM
This superbly sculpted piece of handblown hot-worked art glass is by Czech glassworks Chribska. The design is attributed glass artist and Chribska Chief Designer Josef Hospodka (b. 1923 - d. 1989) who specialised in sculptural, organic glass designs.

The form is elegant, presenting the tall, slender neck that is edged with a hot-worked (technique of manipulating glass while it is hot) rim of graduating arcs. The lithe-like neck gradually broadens into softly exaggerated ridges which gently twist as they wrap around the bulb. Both the design and the size of this piece makes it a rare find. The colour palette is classically Chribska, comprising of the French Rose pink which flows from the neck into the bulb of Golden Amber. The vase is finished with accents of clear glass casing, both at the rim and with the ridges.

This excellent work of handblown art glass greatly complements a collection or can be displayed standalone for a pop of vibrant colour.

CONDITION
Excellent. There is negligible use wear that is most prominent in movement marks on the underside of the base which is commensurable with age. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 20.3" / 51.5 cm x diameter: c. 5.9" / 15 cm width (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 2.6" / 6.6 cm. Rim diameter: c. 2.4" / 6 cm. Weight c. 2.1 kg / 2,056 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Chřibská glassworks (whose logo dates to 1414) is considered to be the oldest glassworks in the world and operated without interruption for almost six centuries. The glassworks full name Sklarna Chribska was based in the now Czech Republic and is known for their sculptural art glass vases and bowls, remaining in production until very recently. Chribska became part of the Borske Sklo National Corporation during the 1950s.

Josef Hospodka (b. 1923 - d. 1989) studied at the State School for Graphic Arts followed by the School for Decorative Arts in Prague from 1940 until 1945. Hospodka went on to become head of the glass cutting department at the Specialised School for Glassmaking at Novy Bor from 1945 until 1951 and then headmaster at the Chribskà glassworks training school from 1951 until 1958. He would also become head designer at the Borské Sklo glassworks from 1964 until 1970. Hospodka is best known for his many highly successful and prolifically produced colourful, curving hot-worked designs produced for Chribskà, of which he was a director from 1960 until 1964.

Hospodka is best known at Chribská for his brightly coloured organic forms designed from the mid-1950s to 1960s which were inspired by Murano glass. However, he was considerably more inventive and utilised fully the hot-working talents of the glassmakers at Chribská.

- Source: Mark Hill

THE ITEM
This beautiful work of Modernist art glass was designed by Czech art glass designer Vaclav Horacek in 1957 for Josefodol Glassworks, later restructured into Zelezny Brod glassworks. This particular design by Horacek is a rare find and even rarer that it is in such superb condition.  

The simple tapered silhouette comes from the glass being blown into a mould, while the frosted surface decor comes from a hand-applied Battuto-like technique. The stylised frosted surface depressions are superbly tactile and reminiscent to that of stone age flint sculptures.

This elegant piece would suit a room with Mid Century, Modernist or even Contemporary inspired decor.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips or cracks or repairs. There is mild wear that is most evident in movement marks on the underside of the base and is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The vase bears original sticker denoting "MADE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA".

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 7.9" / 20 cm x c. 2.4" / 6 cm in width (across the widest point). Base diameter: c. 2" / 5 cm x c. 1.6" / 4 cm. Rim diameter: c. 1.5" /  3.8 cm x c. 1.2" /  3 cm. Unpackaged weight: 0.6 kg / 610 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Zelezny Brod Glassworks
Železný Brod is an old glass-producing town founded in the eleventh century. It was originally known as Brod [tr. 'ford'] or Brodek [tr. 'little ford']. Železný [tr. 'iron'] was added to its name in the fourteenth century, alluding to the town's steelworks. The town's main industry is represented by producers of blow-moulded glass, as well as that of jewellers. The Železný Brod (ZBS) glassworks was created in 1948 as a result of nationalisation at the time and was an amalgamation of 9 glass factories in the town. ZBS being particularly well known for its free-form organic vases and bowls designed by Miroslav Klinger.

THE ITEM
This beautiful work of Modernist art glass was designed by Czech art glass designer Vaclav Horacek in 1957 for Josefodol Glassworks, later restructured into Zelezny Brod glassworks. This particular design by Horacek in Neodymium glass is a rare find and even rarer that it is in such superb condition.  

The simple tapered silhouette comes from the glass being blown into a mould, while the frosted surface decor comes from a hand-applied Battuto-like technique. The stylised frosted surface depressions are superbly tactile and reminiscent to that of stone age flint sculptures.

This piece is not only special in form, which gives it an excellent ability to refract light, it also has the ability to colour change. The colour changing ability comes from Neodymium, a chemical element which is incorporated into the glass during the crafting process. Under daylight, the Neodymium in the glass presents itself as a pale lilac colour however, under indoor fluorescent household lighting, the element becomes a pale blue. Neodymium glass is sometimes known as Alexandrite glass. 

This elegant piece would suit a room with Mid Century, Modernist or even Contemporary inspired decor.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips or cracks or repairs. There is mild wear that is most evident in movement marks on the underside of the base and is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 7.9" / 20 cm x c. 2.4" / 6 cm in width (across the widest point). Base diameter: c. 2" / 5 cm x c. 1.6" / 4 cm. Rim diameter: c. 1.5" /  3.8 cm x c. 1.2" /  3 cm. Unpackaged weight: 0.6 kg / 612 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Zelezny Brod Glassworks
Železný Brod is an old glass-producing town founded in the eleventh century. It was originally known as Brod [tr. 'ford'] or Brodek [tr. 'little ford']. Železný [tr. 'iron'] was added to its name in the fourteenth century, alluding to the town's steelworks. The town's main industry is represented by producers of blow-moulded glass, as well as that of jewellers. The Železný Brod (ZBS) glassworks was created in 1948 as a result of nationalisation at the time and was an amalgamation of 9 glass factories in the town. ZBS being particularly well known for its free-form organic vases and bowls designed by Miroslav Klinger.

THE ITEM
This very rare, adorable and utterly charming piece of Swedish history is the 'Hjortron' [Cloudberry] lantern from the Rubus series designed by Gunnar Muskos at Trollhedens Design in Boden, Northern Sweden.

The Rubus series includes many designs for lighting based on the raspberry, cloudberry and blackberry. The lanterns, like this Cloudberry piece are all with brass leaves as feet. The actual glass is likely to have been handblown at Mantorp Glasbruk, a glassworks based in the town of Mantorp with a population of c. 3,700.

The bubbly form of the glass provides a fantastic canvas for candlelight within to play with and during brighter days, sunlight. The warmth and glow created, as well as the refractions from the tactile bubble surface, is positively joyful.

CONDITION
Superb. No chips, cracks or repairs. Mentioned for completeness: the rim of the glass has one negligible flake measuring c. 0.1 mm and 2 similar sized flakes on the base rim, and the brass has minor surface wear that is commensurable with age. Please see photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 4.3" / 11 cm x c. 6.3" / 16 cm in width (max diameter across base).  Diameter of glass: c. 4.6" / 12 cm (across widest point).Unpackaged weight: c. 0.4 kg / 354 gm. 

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

THE ITEM
This pair of graceful art glass vases are of Sixties Chinese design from the Snowflake series by glassworks Dalian Glass of the Crystal Coast in China.

These vases are often sold as Murano as they clearly bear design influences of mid-century modern Italian glass and hence, the common misattributions. The fluted-rim bottle forms are moulded from white glass before the multicoloured, ethereal smoke-like swirls and vivid red rim is applied. The vases are finished with a final deep Amber Sommerso casing which gives the vases the yellow colour.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is very mild use-wear present on the interior of the vases and is commensurable with the age of the pieces. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 6.1" / 15.5 cm and diameter: c. 3.7" / 9.5 cm (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 2.8" / 7 cm. Rim diameter: c. 3" / 7.6 cm. Unpackaged weight [Pair]: 0.7 kg / 676 g

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

THE ITEM
This exceptional and majestic work of studio art glass is by Japanese glass artist, Toshichi (Tosti) Iwata (b. 1893 - d. 1980).

Bearing the different hallmarks of Venetian art glass techniques, it would be easy to mistake this piece for an unusual work of Murano but it is these hallmarks that are characteristic of Iwata's style. From Iwata's 20 year stay in Murano, Italy and exploration into Venetian glass techniques; his style became preferenced to including gold strips (Avventurine technique), stretched Millefiori and finishing with an overall layer of clear glass (Sommerso technique). Other Iwata signature characteristics are a preference for streaks and trails of bright colour and including jet black in the colour palette.

The elegant baluster form of this piece is not unusual as many of Iwatas pieces are simple and elegant in form, however, the size is a particularly rare find. The immensity of this piece is also why the discs of Millefiori measure 1"+ and the weight comes in at over 4 kg / 9 lbs. The body of this piece is an opaque Peach tone that is overlaid with translucent swathes of Deep orange and Crimson red, these fiery tones meld with sweeps of opaque and translucent Jet black. Overlaying the background are delicate undulating trails of white, yellow and peach as well as multiple discs of stretched Millefiori.

This incredible piece is as bold as it is dominating of the space it is displayed in and brings with it it's own timeless contemporary style.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs, very mild use wear is present and predominantly in the form of movement marks on the underside base of the vase, which is commensurable with age. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 14" / 35.5 cm tall x c. 7.9" / 20 cm diameter width (across widest point / rim). Base diameter: c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm. Rim diameter: c. 5" / 12.8 cm. Unpackaged weight c. 4.2 kg / 4,228 g / 9.3 lbs.

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Toshichi (Tosti) Iwata (b. 1893 - d. 1980) was a glass artist who came from a family that owned a glassworks in Osaka, Japan. Iwata's family would go on to own one of the two major Japanese glassworks during the 1940s and 1950s. Iwata himself visited Murano in Italy in the mid-1930s, where he became inspired to remain for 20 years and explored the techniques within the art of Venetian glass.

He would eventually return to Osaka and Kamei glassworks in the 1950s to oversee export production and more importantly, to explore original studio art glass pieces. Iwata's studio work is heavily influenced by the two decades of experience in Murano and his signature characteristics include: strips of embedded gold (Avventurine technique), streaks of bright colour and stretched Millefiori, jet black included into the main body and an overall layer of clear glass (Sommerso technique). His studio pieces became part of the Japanese studio art glass scene and these contemporary designed pieces have now become rare

The quality of Japanese art glass during the 1950s to the 1970s rivalled that of Murano, Scandinavian, and Czech glass production, however, recognition was relatively low and most pieces imported into the Western market were often simply marked with the word 'Foreign' or not at all.

THE ITEM
This exquisitely simple yet detailed work of Modernist art glass is by renowned glass artist and designer Sven Palmqvist (b. 1906 - d. 1984), one of the great innovators of Swedish glass.

This sculpted glass features Palmvist's Kraka technique developed in 1944, which creates the illusion of a net and the controlled cascade of bubbles within the glass. These beautifully patterned pieces were created by hand and the technique uses copper wire to trap air bubbles when the outer encasing of glass is applied. The Kraka series was produced from 1944 until 1986 and the original colour scheme of these pieces was white until 1947. The colour palette of this particular piece is the well-known and popular spectrum of oceanic blues cradled in an edging 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”, Kraka solved the riddle by appearing wrapped in a fishnet.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild wear commensurate with the age of the piece, please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The base is inscribed with 'ORREFORS, Kraka, no 342' and Palmqvist's 'Sven Palmqvist' signature. The number 342 dates this piece to 1955.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 3.3" / 8.5 cm tall (from base to rim) x 7.3" / 18.5 cm max-width / rim diameter. Base diameter: c. 2.6" / 6.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 2 kg / 2,043 g

NOTES
Bowl 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. He developed the Kraka technique in 1944, then came Ravenna in 1948. Another notable success 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, 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 (1898 - 1989)
Orrefors was a glassworks in the Swedish village Orrefors in Småland. Founded in 1898 on the site of an older ironworks, Orrefors originally produced mainly window glass and bottles and it would be 1913 before their range began to expand to drinking glasses and vases. Orrefors first attempts at art glass making were in the style of the famous French glassworks such as Daum and Gallé.

During its 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 became part of the Kosta Boda group in 1989.

THE ITEM
At first glance, this handblown beautiful piece appears to be the Czech Josef Hospodka abstract tulip vase, however, the difference in the detail is there, all of which will tell you this is Japanese Art Glass. The petals at the rim are curled into themselves and the body of the 'tulip' is more slender.

The colour palette begins as an edge of sage green which surrounds the core of deep Tangerine amber, the amber flows seamlessly into the hot pink before the finishing of the clear casing on the exterior.

To bring out the hidden magic in this piece, place the vase in the pathway of sunlight and watch the surfaces light up with deep amber orange and pinks from the refractions thrown.

A BIT OF HISTORY
The quality of Japanese art glass during the 1950s to the 1970s rivalled that of Murano, Scandinavian, and Czech glass production, however, recognition was relatively low and most pieces imported into the Western market were often simply marked with the word 'Foreign' or not at all. It is rare to discover pieces with the original glassworks or importing company's label.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips or cracks or damage, vase bears mild wear, predominantly in the form of movement marks on the underside base of the vase which is commensurable with age. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 8.7" / 22 cm tall x c. 6" / 15.3 cm diameter width (across widest point / rim). Base diameter is c. 2.6" / 6.7 cm. Unpackaged weight c. 1.9 kg / 1,878 g

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

THE ITEM
This sleek, handblown work of Scandinavian mid-century Modern design is by Swedish glassworks SEA Glasbruk.

The core hot pink colour of this piece is a rarer find for SEA Glasbruk, however, it is heavily cased within clear glass that is characteristic of Swedish glass. Each end of the dish finishes in a flourishing curl. The form and colour palette bears similarity to the Coquilles range by Flygsfors glassworks, which was in production around the same time period.

A BIT OF HISTORY
SEA Glasbruk was founded in Sweden in 1956 by Inge Samuelsson, Sven Ernstsson, Tore Andersson, the name 'SEA' is from the merging of the first letter from the surname of the three owners. SEA produced high-quality glassware and featured designers such as Goran Anneborg, Lena Engman, Bjorn Ramel, Renate Stock and Rune Strand.

Sea Glasbruk would go on to join the Orrefors Kosta Boda group in 1986, along with many other glassworks from the 'Kingdom of Glass' region.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repair. There are movement marks on the underside of the base and mild surface wear that is most prominent as a single scuff on the outer layer of the dish and measures 4mm. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed with 'SEA 575'.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 3.5" / 9 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 6.4" / 16.2 cm in width (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 1.6" / 4.1 cm. Unpackaged weight: 0.7 kg / 675 g

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

THE ITEM
This outstanding work of 1970s handblown art glass is by Japanese Kamei glassworks.

Despite it's imposing weight of c. 1.5kg, there is still an air of graceful elegance in its form with its hot-worked unfurling and subtly curled rim. The central red core is cased in the curved ridges of clear glass, within which are the 'brushes' of white frit glass. The clear glass ridges graduate upwards and follow the unfurling rim, cascading down the sides to finish in a small curled scroll either side. A striking piece and rare find.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Fun fact: the literal translation of the word 'Kamei' is 'Turtle well' and is, in fact, a Japanese surname. The Kamei glassworks was founded in 1910 in Osaka in Japan and would eventually close in the 1990s.

Sadly, little is known about the glass artists resident at the glassworks. Perhaps it is due to the language barrier but it is well known amongst the avid glass collectors community that there are many Chinese and Japanese glassmakers whose skill and techniques rival the infamous Murano, Czech and Scandi makers of the Western world. The styles in which the glass was produced were similar to that of their Western counterparts but like all things, they had subtle differences, such as the finishing technique and colour palettes (a tendency for more vivid colours).

CONDITION
Superb. No chips or cracks or repairs, with few movement marks on the underside of the vase base that is commensurable with age. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The base has the original and mostly intact label which denotes 'Best Art Glass, Foreign' as was customary for items imported into the UK.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 9.25" / 23.5 cm base to rim x diameter of c. 6.75" / 17.1 cm (across widest point).

NOTES
Vase 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 renowned glass artist and designer Sven Palmqvist (b. 1906 - d. 1984), one of the great innovators of Swedish glass. 

This sculpted glass features the Palmvist's Kraka technique developed in 1944, which creates the illusion of a net within the glass. The technique uses copper wire which traps air bubbles when the outer encasing of glass is applied. These beautifully patterned pieces were created by hand. The Kraka series was produced from 1944 until 1986, the colour scheme of these pieces was white until 1947 before it became the well-known golden-yellow and blue. 

This piece is particularly special as it is from the Kraka Gallery. The form of this piece is a superbly balanced tear-drop shape and an excellent canvas to highlight the spectrum of oceanic blues cradled in an edging 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”, Kraka solved the riddle by appearing wrapped in a fishnet.

CONDITION

Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild wear commensurate with the age of the piece - please refer to photos as part of the condition report. The label denoting 'ORREFORS SWEDEN' is present. The base is inscribed with 'Orrefors 958140 Kraka' and Palmqvist's 'Sven Palmqvist' signature. This piece is additionally inscribed with 'Kraka Gallery 2-89'. 

MEASUREMENTS

Height: c. 8.3" / 20 cm tall (from base to rim) x 2.4" /  6.2 cm in base diameter. Diameter across widest point: c. 5.7" / 14.5 cm. Rim diameter: c. 1.5" / 3.8 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 3.2 kg / 3,168 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. He developed the Kraka technique in 1944, then came Ravenna in 1948. 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, 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 (1898 - 1989)

Orrefors glassworks was a glassworks in the Swedish village Orrefors in Småland. Founded in 1898 on the site of an older ironworks, Orrefors originally produced mainly window glass and bottles and it would be 1913 before their range began to expand to drinking glasses and vases. Orrefors first attempts at art glass making were in the style of the famous French glassworks such as Daum and Gallé.

During its 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 became part of the Kosta Boda group in 1989. 

THE ITEM
This beautiful work of biomorphic handblown art glass is by Czeslaw Zuber (b.1948 -), sculptor, ceramist, glassmaker, painter, illustrator and designer.

This piece is not only special in form, with a shape lending it a special ability in light refraction but is also stunning in its blending of colour.

The captured motion of the opaque golden yellow glass is like that of an abstract bloom unfurling, with 'petals' that end in an edging of warm Chilli red. Beneath the yellow is a transparent Scarlet red which graduates into shades of opaque deep orange and red. 

Under rays of sunshine, the form creates stunning refraction's and coloured beams which dance across the walls. This elegant piece to suit a room with Mid Century, Modernist, Bohemian or Contemporary inspired decor.

CONDITION

Excellent, no chips or cracks or repairs. There are inclusions within the glass as part of the production process and mild wear on the underside of the vase that is commensurable with age. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 6.3" / 16 cm x c. 2.7" / 7 cm base diameter. Width: c. 4.7" / 12 cm (across the widest point). Unpackaged weight: 809 g / 0.8 kg

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

A BIT OF HISTORY

Czeslaw Zuber graduated in ceramics and glass from the School of Fine Arts in Wroclaw in 1974 and would go onto to discover his passion for glass through an internship. Zuber's passion would lead him to win the Special Jury Prize at the Katowice Glass Art Exhibition in 1981. 

He would make a decisive turning point in his career in 1982 and move to Paris. Contrary to what he practised in Poland (hot worked glass forms), he would produce a whole series of cold works, in the form of etched glasses, sand, diamond saw. Zuber would sculpt glass slabs, sometimes very thick, tinged with brightly coloured ink. He would also create luminous columns, offering a mirror on one side and painted decoration on the other. 

Zuber would go on to develop a technique in 1984 which would elevate his reputation: sandblasting. His mastery of sand engraving gave birth to a series of figurative works. Zuber's dedication to his art would win him the special jury prize at the International Glass Exhibition in Coburg in 1985 and a gold medal from the American Interfaith Institute in 1992. 

THE ITEM
This exceptional sculpture of handblown stylised art glass is by the glass master Licio Zanetti.This work is crafted from Alexandrite Neodymium glass and the technique used is likely Masello, given the weight, size and delicate elements of the sculpture and favoured by Licio. 

The allurement of this piece extends beyond the craftsmanship and that is in the Neodymium glass, a chemical element that is incorporated into the glass during the crafting process. Neodymium is sometimes known as Alexandrite, which changes colour from lilac under incandescent light or daylight and blue under fluorescent, household lights.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Founded in 1956 by Oscar Zanetti, Zanetti Murano Glassworks is a true family-run business and has since been handed down father to son for four generations. The glassworks quickly distinguished itself from the artistic quality of master Licio Zanetti's glass sculptures.

The glass studio soon took its place among the most prestigious companies on the island and has become one of the most important furnaces on Murano. Today, sculptures are sold through exclusive galleries in the city of Venice and selected partners around the world.

Massello is the technique used in Murano since the 1930s. The technique gives shape to hot glass held by a rod and uses the same tools as is used in blown glass-working. It's a technique with a strong visual impact, where the glass master uses precise movements.

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips, cracks or repairs, there is minimal wear in the form of mild movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with age. Please refer to photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base bears Licio Zanetti's signature 'Zanetti L'. 

MEASUREMENTS
c. 17.7" / 45 cm in height x 13.7" / 35 cm width from beak to tail. Base diameter: 3.9" / 10 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 2.3 kg / 2,259 g

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

THE ITEM
This beautifully bevelled work of 1970s Scandinavian Modernist design is by Pentti Sarpaneva (b.1925 - d. 1978) Finnish jewellery and decorative designer. This piece was produced by Oy Kumela glassworks for jewellers Torun Hopea. 

Sarpaneva's style was influenced by elements of the rugged Finnish landscape, casting textures from materials such as tree bark and rock. Other inspirations included traditional Finnish lace and the metals he worked with. 

The design of this piece encapsulates much of Sarpaneva's style, his inspirations and the Modernist design influences of the time. The graduating and staggered Grape purple glass surface shows off a number of textured and angular circular and semi-circular reliefs.

The form features a central column and is also bevelled at the base, making the overall shape jewel-like and heightening the ability for light refractions. 

The piece is finished with the bronze collar that is decorated in Sarpaneva's rugged lace design which can be found in his jewellery designs. 

CONDITION

Very good. No cracks or repairs to the glass. There are 2 negligible flakes on the rim and is mentioned for completeness. There is mild use wear to the bronze that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please see photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed 'Pentti Sarpaneva' and 'Oy Kumela'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 3.9" / 10 cm tall x c. 5.6" / 14.2  cm rim length and width (across widest point) Base is c. 3.5" / 9 cm in length and width. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.6  kg / 1,561 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY

Pentti Sarpaneva (b.1925 - d. 1978)  Sarpaneva trained in graphic
design, at the Institute of Industrial Art and following the war, began his design career in the late 1950s. He designed for Kalevala Koru Oy and later in 1967, he became artistic director for Turun Hopea, remaining there until his death. 

Unique amongst his contemporaries, Sarpaneva would cast his designs straight from nature and the man-made environment, often using rocks and tree bark, as well as discarded rope and lace. During the height of his career, he was known for producing emotive, avant-garde, bold and eccentric designs.