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 sleek, handblown work of iconic Scandinavian Modern design is by Vicke Lindstrand (b. 1904 - d. 1983). Lindstrand was a Swedish textile and ceramic designer and painter, and is considered as one of the most influential 20th-century glass artists and a pioneer of glass art.

Lindstrand's prolific career included many design highlights, including his ability to excel at a technique called Cased Glass (known to many glass collectors as 'Sommerso'), in which a vividly coloured or patterned section of glass is surrounded by and seems to float within a clear crystal body.

This particular piece is a rare work from the Zebra series and even rarer, is the colour which displays as black but is in fact, a shade of very intense red-brown. This stunning work of art glass very much embodies Lindstrand's expertise in the Sommerso technique. It also exemplifies the tenets of simplicity, minimalism and functionality influences of the Scandinavian Modern design movement.

The core of rich, Dark Mahogany red-brown around the central chamber is surrounded by visual overlapping of the white ribbons of glass. Depending on the angle, you can see the space between the white ribbons and the core colour and that the white ribbons are in fact a separate layer. All of this is suspended in the thick-walled, curved and clear crystal glass form that is characteristic of Scandinavian art glass. Such is Lindstrand's skill and beauty in this series, the version in red became the cover feature for Martin Miller's book 'The complete guide to 20th Century Antiques'.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repair. There is negligible surface wear and movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece - please see photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed with Lindstrand's Kosta initials of 'LH ['Lindstrand Hyttarbete'] 1116 / 234' and a further 'u' which was used as an indicator for 'Unique' piece.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 3.5" / 9 cm in width (across widest point). Depth: c. 2.2" / 5.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: 1.1 kg / 1,088 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Vicke Lindstrand (b. 1904 - d. 1983) was a Swedish textile and ceramic designer and painter. He is considered as one of the most influential 20th-century glass artists and a pioneer of glass art. Lindstrand along with his peer Edvin Öhström, pioneered a new glass-colouring process called the Ariel technique.

Lindstrand's prolific career began in commercial illustration before finding employment at the glass manufactory Orrefors. He would join Kosta Boda 1950, remaining there until 1973. Beyond his commercial work, he also produced several massive public sculptures around the world. Today, his works are in many museum collections, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and The Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Kosta Boda, Sweden’s oldest glass company, was founded in 1742 and would only begin making art glass — that is, unique and limited edition pieces — with the hiring of the painter Gunnar Wennerberg in 1898. Kosta Boda enjoys a reputation as the country’s most artistic and experimental glassworks, featuring artists and sculptors.

Two post-war Kosta Boda designers stand foremost in the minds of collectors, one is Vicke Lindstrand, who excelled at a technique of 'Sommerso', or cased glass. The other is Erik Höglund, who had an almost artisanal eye for glass shapes, and liked to produce glass that had a textured, warped look.

THE ITEM
This vivid and majestic work of Italian mid-century Modern design brings with it beauty created by expert glass working techniques and is attributed to glass artist Flavio Poli (b. 1900 - d. 1984).

This handblown and sculpted piece of art glass showcases iconic Murano colour combinations. Suspended at its centre a vibrant yet cool tone of Cherry Fuschia that is edged in a trim of Powdered Slate blue. The clear glass casing which surrounds the core is the well-known Sommerso technique, this has been worked to extend outwards at the rim, creating the 'fishtail' effect. Set either side of the Cherry Fuschia / Powdered Slate blue core are the Sommerso 'wings', which capture the classic Murano colour combination of Cobalt Blue edged in Golden Amber.

The form of this piece is particularly distinctive and rare in both its form and size. The effect of the sculptural curves has created a superb canvas for the refraction of light.

CONDITION
Superb. There are no chips, cracks or repairs. There is light use wear in the form of faint scratches which do not visibly diminish and are commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 12.6" / 32 cm tall (from base to highest point) x c. 8.1" / 20.5 cm in diameter (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 8.1" / 20.5 cm x c. 3.5" / 8.8 cm. Rim measurements: c. 6.7" / 17 cm x c. 1.8" / 4.6 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 3.5 kg / 3,523 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
The Sommerso [Literal translation 'submerged'] technique was brought to fame by Archimede Seguso prior to his exploration into the Bullicante technique. The technique is used to create layers of glass - often several layers and usually with different contrasting colours - inside a single object, giving the illusion of “immersed” colours without mixing. The different layers of glass are put through heat, repeatedly immersing them in pots of molten coloured glass before being encased in an outer layer of colourless glass.

Flavio Poli (b. 1900 - d. 1984)
Flavio Poli an Italian artist, known for his designs in glass. Born in 1900, he was trained at the Istituto d'Arte di Venezia, then began work as a ceramicist. In 1934 he was appointed artistic director of Barovier, Seguso & Ferro (later Seguso Vetri d’Arte), where he devised a style of Sommerso 'submerged' glass, with several transparent layers, one over the other. Within three years, he was a partner in the company. Poli left Seguso in 1963. From 1964 to 1966 he led the artistic glass division of the Società Veneziana di Conterie e Cristallerie. Poli died in 1984. A number of his works are in the Murano Glass Museum, the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia, and MoMA in New York.

THE ITEM
This elegant work of Scottish Sommerso Modernist glass is a slender but beautifully formed bud vase by Caithness. Suspended in the clear glass casing are ribbons of colour in Dark Amber and Deep Cerulean blue, shades of which are found in the Oban Plaid pattern. The iconic ribbons of colour used in the Oban series are inspired by the Scottish landscape.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Caithness Glass is a Scottish artistic glassware manufacturing company. It was established in Wick, Caithness, Scotland in 1961 by Robin Sinclair, 2nd Viscount Thurso, initially manufacturing ornamental glassware such as paperweights and vases. Caithness established a second factory from the late 1960s which focussed primarily on art glass. Around this time, in 1968 the company was awarded the Queen Mother's Royal Warrant (meaning they were the recognised supplier of glass to the Queen Mother) and the company continues today to make a beautiful range of glassware.

CONDITION
Very Good. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild use wear in the form of internal watermarks and light scratches to the underside of the base that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please refer to the photos as they part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7.9" / 20.2 cm tall x c. 2.9" / 7.3 cm width (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 2.6" / 6.5 cm. Rim diameter: c. 1.2" / 3 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.5 kg / 486 g

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

THE ITEM
This exceptional and rare work of Art Nouveau, Art Deco art glass is by Bohemian glassworks Kralik.
The decor of this piece is the well documented 'Draped', which as the name suggests, has the effect of draped fabric. The textured, 'draped' surface effect is combined with the gold-toned iridescence of the art glass gives the effect of draped Cranberry pink satin.

The piece is finished with a silver collar accent (hallmarked to Birmingham Assay Office 1903-1904), which complements its elegant bottle form and was common to art glass design during the Art Nouveau period.

BIT OF HISTORY
The Kralik glassworks, full name Wilhelm Kralik Sohne, was originally founded by Josef Meyr in 1815, in Bohemia. The factory was originally called Adolfshutte. When Josef died, his son Jan took over the company. By this time, the company owned four glass factories. Jan died in 1841, and his two nephews Josef Taschek and Wilhelm Kralik became the owners. The company name was changed to J. Meyr's Neffen, and when Josef died in 1862, the name changed to J. Meyr's Neffe.

Wilhelm Kralik died in 1877, and left the company to his 4 sons. The company was split in two - Heinrich and Johann took the name Wilhelm Kralik Sohne, Hugo and Karl used the name Meyr's Neffe. Meyr's Neffe merged with Moser in 1922. Wilhelm Kralik Sohne continued to produce glassware until World War II.

CONDITION
Superb. There are no chips, cracks or repair to the glass, there is the mild sanding at the rim that is visible as a result of the wear to the silver collar and is from the production process. There is a single bubbling measuring c. 0.2 mm which is from the production process and has been mentioned for completeness. There is significant and visible wear to the silver collar which can be left untouched for its antique charm or replaced if preferred. Please see photos as they form part of the condition report. The silver collar is hallmarked to the Birmingham Assay Office, 1903-1904, the silversmith mark is unclear but has been attributed as 'AHD', Alfred Horatio Darby who was active from 1895 to 1933.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7.3" / 18.5 cm (from base to rim) x max diameter: c. 2.9" / 7.5 cm. Rim diameter: c. 1" / 2.7 cm. Base diameter: c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.2 kg / 228 g

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

THE ITEM
This work of mid-century Modernist design is a deceptively mirrored table-cooler and a glass-encased ceramic piece by Haesco Schmidt & Co., Großbreitenbach. This particular design was popular in the 1950s.

The reflective surface of the piece is achieved with a reflective mirrored layer which is encased in a layer of thin glass and resulting in a piece that appears to be made of metal but reveals its true colours upon touch. The glass layer is seamless and barely detectable. The piece is accented with a Cream glazed ceramic base and a handle with gentle geometric flare. Originally purposed as a table-cooler, this piece could be used as an accent piece or as part of a serving spread on the dinner table. Such a dish could be purposed for keeping foods such as sauces, butter, caviar or even chocolates chilled.

CONDITION
Very Good. No significant damage such as cracks or repairs to the set, the following wear has been mentioned for completeness:
- Base: minor scratches on the inside glass surface of the bowl. Very mild wear on the underside from use.
- Label: The transferred label has some flaking.
Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
- Lid: Height c. 3" / 7.5 cm x c. 4.6" / 12 cm width (across widest point). Handle diameter c. 1.25" / 3.1 cm.
- Base: Height c. 4.3" / 10.8 cm x c. 5.0" / 12.7 cm width (across widest point). Base diameter c. 4.5" / 11.5 cm. Weight: c. 0.6 kg / 554 gm.

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

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 richly coloured 9 piece set of Swedish Modern design is by glass designer Lennart Anderssen (b. 1918 - d. 1999) for Gullaskruf glassworks.

The jewel-like colour palette of the set consists of a vibrant Cobalt blue, Ruby red, Ocean green and Grape purple. The form of the bowls is beautifully silhouetted with rounded angles, as is characteristic to Modern design with matching plates that have a gentle inversion and is otherwise smoothly disc-like. Each piece is finished with an accent of dotted reliefs arranged in 3 concentric circles.
This set gives an incredible pop of colours to compliment the dining table.

CONDITION
Superb. No significant damage such as cracks or repairs to the set, the following negligible wear and has been mentioned for completeness:
- Large serving bowl: small chip on the rim measuring c. 0.2 mm.
- Blue plate: very mild scratches.
Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The gold foil Gullaskruf label denoting 'GULLASKRUF, SWEDEN' is present on all pieces except for the small blue bowl.

MEASUREMENTS
- Large Serving Bowl: Height c. 4.8" / 12.2 cm x c. 8" / 20.3 cm width (across widest point). Base diameter c. 2.5" / 6.3 cm.
- Small Bowl: Height c. 2.3" / 5.8 cm x c. 4.2" / 10.6 cm width (across widest point). Base diameter c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm.
- Saucer / Plate: Height c. 0.8" / 2 cm x c. 5.9" / 15 cm diameter (across widest point).
Unpackaged weight [Full Set]: c. 2.3 kg / 2,291 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Gullaskrufs glassworks (1927 - 1983) was a Swedish glassworks founded in Gullaskruv in by William Stenberg, glass production began in 1927. By 1930 Gullaskruf would exhibit their works at the Stockholm exhibition and around the same time, the glassworks came into contact with the foreign market. At that time, exports accounted for 45% of Gullaskruf's production and in addition to the USA and England, glass was exported to Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Canada, South America, Australia and South Africa.

Over the years, the glassworks would be resident to many great glass designers and artists, some of who became artistic director for Gullaskruf. Designers and artists included: Hugo Gehlin (b. 1889 - d. 1953), Lennart Andersson (b. 1918 - d. 1999), Arthur Percy (b. 1886 - d. 1976) and Kjell Blomberg (b. 1931 - d. 1989).

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 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 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 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.

Note: The pitcher jug and 6 cups from the same Sesi series also available and where there is interest to purchase both the dinner set and pitcher/cup set, there is a multiple purchase discount available. Please get in touch for further information.

THE ITEM
This stunning Modernist dinner set for six is from the Sesi series was designed by Erkkitapio Siiroinen for Finnish glassworks Riihimäen Lasi. Siiroinen was inspired to create the Sesi series by his friend Sesi, which he subsequently named the series in honour of. Siiroinen spent two years experimenting to create the black glass and the Sesi series, which would eventually be launched by Riihimäen Lasi in 1976.

Because the concept of Sesi was so new and innovative at the time (it was very rare to design such a large series in black glass), the launch generated a great deal of interest and was widely noted in the press, the series quickly became popular.

The glass itself gives the appearance of black but is actually an exceptionally deep shade of Cobalt blue, the blue hue is revealed when under bright light. The form of the semi-automatic mould blown bowls is rounded with angular 'ear' accents. The hand-blown dinner plates and side plates shimmer like the deepest pools of ink, giving a beautiful expression of the raw material. The bowls contrast the plates beautifully, both of which show off different aspects of Modernist design.

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips, cracks or repairs for pitcher jug and all cups. There is mild use wear which commensurates with the age of the pieces. 5 of the dinner plates and all 6 of the soup bowls bear the original 'Riihimaen Lasi, Made in Finland' label, in use during the 1970s.

MEASUREMENTS
- Dinner Plate: diameter: c. 9.6" / 24.5 cm.
- Side Plate: diameter: c. 6.3" / 16 cm.
- Soup Bowl [400 ml / 40 cl ] : height: c. 2.8" / 7 cm. Diameter: c. 4.7" / 12 cm.
Unpackaged weight [Full set]: c. 9.3 kg / 9,293 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Riihimäen Lasi (1910 - 1990). Founded in 1910, Riihimäen Lasi became Finland’s biggest glass manufacturer from the 1920s until the 190s. Chief Designers included Helena Tynell (c. 1946), Nanny Still (c. 1949), and Tamara Aladin (c.1959). These designers pushed the boundaries using multiple glass-forming techniques, including mould-blowing, pressing, centrifugal-casting, and casing, as well as adding stunning decorative details by cutting, engraving, sandblasting and polishing. Sadly, the factory would eventually close in 1990.

Many of Siiroinen's glass series, including Sesi, are very popular among Finnish glass collectors. Siiroinen was known to be a rebellious young designer and it was this attitude that led to some of the most interesting and innovative glass series ever produced in the history of Finnish design.