Japanese Postmodern Brutalist Toyo Ito Style, Architectural Ceramic Studio Vase, 1980s
Regular price£338.00
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Discover the intersection of art and design with this Japanese studio work. On prominent display are echoes of Toyo Ito's visionary design ethos, and the evident appreciation for innovative structural and construction approaches. A seamless blend of Postmodern and Brutalist design, the central feature appearing on both sides of the vase is the highly tactile graduated steps in hues of gloss Charcoal overlaid onto the base of pale Sandstone tone. The layout of the steps carries design whispers of Escher and an almost Bionic quality. This is offset and complimented by an equally organic semi-matte Cyberpunk net in the ethereal golden tones resting on the opposing shoulder of the vase.
A firm statement piece in excellent condition.
CONDITION Excellent. No chips or repairs. There are faint movement marks on the underside of the base commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to the photos as they form part of the condition report. The body of the vase bears the artist's mark that has yet to be identified.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 8.8" / 22.3 cm tall x c. 11" / 28 cm length (across widest point). Depth: c. 3.9" / 10 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,330 g
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
This striking and romantically joyful work of handblown Japanese mid-century art glass is by the glassworks Tajima, who was known to have produced art glass under the label of Best Art Glass.
Elegant and graceful, the curves that shape the 5 lobed 'petals' creates an organic 'unfurling' from the centre. The palette is a striped arrangement of Sakura pink followed by Cobalt blue and Emerald green, handblown into a swirling pattern to create the main featured colouring of the piece. The gem-like tones vary in intensity as they trace every fold and curve of the lobes and finish with an accent of clear glass at the base.
This excellent piece is stylistically timeless making it suitable for standalone display as a centrepiece or functional use.
CONDITION Excellent. There are no chips or cracks, only mild wear on the surface that is commensurable with age. Please refer to the photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base has a concave pontil that is a known finishing touch of Japanese art glass and bears the original label 'Best Art Glass, Foreign' with the 'Foreign' being an indicator of glass imported into the UK during this period.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 8.3" / 21 cm (base to rim) Diameter: c. 5.7" / 14.5 cm (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 2.8" / 7 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,275 g
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items
A BIT OF HISTORY Tajima Glassworks Unfortunately, little is known about Tajima Glass. However, it is known that the glass studio was founded in 1956, in Tokyo, Japan, by Matsutaro Tatsuta. They are known for coloured, textured and often mould-blown or hot-worked art glass. Tajima Glass are still operating today. The quality and style of their work are similar to other Japanese glassworks, rivalling and often mistaken for Italian Murano glass and Czech glass from the same period.
Iwatsu Hineri, Sculpted Apricot, Scarlet and Azure Striped Twist Vase, 1960s-70s, Japanese
Regular price£118.00
Save £-118.00
This striking and vibrant work of mid-century handblown art glass is of Japanese art glass design and by the glassworks Iwatsu, who were also known to have produced art glass under the labels of Hineri and Art Glass.
Graceful and organic, the central twist to the vase creates ripples that are highly tactile and invite touch. The colours of Apricot, Scarlet red and Azure blue swirl gloriously from the centre of the vase and outwards in alternating bands. The red and blue tones are translucent, creating stunning refractions when placed in the path of bright light. The work is finished with a clear glass 'Sommerso' casing at the base.
Stylistically timeless and majestic in size, there is an air of vivacious vitality to this work that remains constant whatever the season.
CONDITION Very Good. There are no cracks, only mild wear on the surface of this piece and age-related fleabites at the base and underside of the vase that is commensurable with the age. Please refer to the photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base has a concave pontil that is a known finishing touch of Iwatsu.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 11.4" / 29 cm (base to rim) Diameter: c. 4.8" / 12.3 cm (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 3.4" / 8.6 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 2.1 kg / 2,120 g
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Iwatsu Glassworks Unfortunately, little is known about Iwatsu despite being one of the largest glassmakers in Japan, the commonly cited and understood reason is due to language barriers. However, Iwatsu is deemed to have produced art glass under the Hineri and Art Glass labels before closing in the 1990s. Iwatsu were known to have been based in Osaka in Japan, producing colourful art glass during the 1970s. The quality and style of their work rivalled and is often mistaken for, Italian Murano glass and Czech glass from the same period.
