Sanyu Glassworks Narumi Fantasy Series Rainbow Sommerso Handblown Abstract Bottle Vase, 1970s
Regular price£276.00
Save £-276.00
This beautifully sculpted and handblown work of Japanese art glass is attributed to the glassworks Sanyu, from the 'Narumi Fantasy' candy-like coloured series.
The form is superbly organic with five lobes wrapping around the abstract bottle form, making this piece very tactile and giving it a prismatic ability. The colour palette is seemingly complicated but is in fact composed of Fuschia pink, Summer Sky blue and Pale Chrome yellow. The colours have been blown in angled overlapping stripes within the magnifying clear exterior casing which opens up additional tones of green, purple and orange depending on which face of the vase is turned to.
There is a further layer of hidden magic within this piece that becomes apparent when it is placed in the pathway of sunlight and surrounding surfaces light up from the refractions. The majestic size of this piece and the enchanting quality of the captured colours makes this piece suitable for display or lightly accented as a Ikebana vase.
CONDITION Superb. No chips or cracks or damage, There is mild wear, predominantly movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurate with age. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 12" / c. 30.5 cm tall x c. 3.5" / c. 9 cm diameter (across widest point) Rim measurements: c. 1.1" / c. 2.8 cm (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 3.1" / c. 7.8 cm. Unpackaged weight c. 2.4 kg / 2,365 g
NOTES Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Sanyu Glass Co. is based in Osaka, Japan and has been producing art glass since the 1950s. Similar to other better known Japanese glassworks of Iwatsu and Hineri, the quality and style is often mistaken for Murano and Czech glass from the same era.
Though knowledge of the Japanese glassworks is scarce in the Western countries, what is known is that the quality of Japanese art glass during the 1950s to the 1970s rivalled that of Murano, Scandinavian, and Czech glass production. Recognition has been relatively low and most pieces imported into the Western market are 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.
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.
This majestic work is of mid-century handblown Japanese art glass is by Iwatsu Hineri glassworks. Glass collectors familiar with the Murano technique Sommerso (translation 'submerged) will know that this is the art of capturing segments of solid colour in clear glass.
The graceful, extending lobes of this piece are a superb Hineri interpretation of mid-century art glass, just as the capturing of the Scarlet red, Tangelo orange and Violet within the clear cased triangular base is a rival to the Sommerso technique. The interior of the dish enables a view of the swirling colours as they whirl outwards into varying intensities of colour in the lobes of the dish.
Amongst collectors, the skill and quality applied in creating Japanese art glass is very much known to rival its Western counterparts and can often be more difficult to find. Hineri vases and the 4-petal dish in this palette and design are common but the tricorn form of this piece makes it a particularly rare find.
CONDITION Excellent. No chips and cracks. There is negligible surface wear that is commensurable with age. Mentioned for completeness: one corner of the base has been left unpolished as part of the finishing process. Please refer to 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. 5.1" / 13 cm (base to rim). Width: c. 11.1" / 28.3 cm (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 3.6" / 9.1 cm (across widest point) Depth: c. 2.5" / 6.3 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.6 kg / 1,620 g
NOTES Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Hineri Iwatsu Glassworks Unfortunately, little is known about Hineri 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.
Iwatsu Hineri Glassworks, Sculpted Apricot, Scarlet and Violet Stripe Vase,1960s-70s, Japanese
Regular price£88.00
Save £-88.00
This bold and joyful mid-century work is of Japanese art glass design and by the Japanese glassworks Iwatsu, who were known to have produced art glass under the labels of Hineri Art Glass.
There is an air of organic gracefulness in the way the stripes ripple and curve outwards as the body lightly twists, displaying an 'unfurling' of the two wings. The colours of Apricot, Scarlet Red and Violet swirl gloriously from the centre of the vase and reach outwards in the alternating bands of colour. The red and violet tones are translucent, showing spectacular refractions when placed in the path of sunlight. The work is finished with a clear glass 'Sommerso' casing.
This excellent piece is stylistically timeless yet very obviously retro and above all, joyful.
CONDITION Very Good. There are light surface marks with the most considerable wear being movement marks that are on the underside of the base, which are commensurable with age. Please refer to 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. 7.9" / 20 cm (base to rim) Width/Depth: c. 7.9" / 20 cm x c. 3" / 7.5cm (across widest points). Base diameter: c. 3.1" / 8 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,310 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.
Late Meiji Era c.1880, Totai Shippo - Cloisonne on Ceramic, Floral Ginger Jar, Japanese, Antique
Regular price£88.00
Save £-88.00
This exquisitely intricate Totai Shippo piece is dated to c.1880 from the Japanese Meiji era (1868-1912 ).
Totai Shippo is the technique of applying Cloisonné enamel to ceramic believed to have been discovered by Sukamoto Kaisuke (b.1828 - d.1887) some time around 1868. Traditional Cloisonné of using thin wire or metal to contain different coloured enamels applied to a metal vessel itself is already a revered technique. Totai Shippo elevates the technique to another level when you consider the detailed wired sections of this piece is as small as 1-2mm in width.
This particular piece bears two 'faces', a panel on each side that displays the detailed design of butterflies, Chrysanthemums and Anemones in tones of Dusted Powder and Cobalt Blue, Oxblood Red and Apple Green. Encircling the panels are features of Sakura buds and blossom interwoven with the Teal patterned background.
This excellent work of art makes for a superbly decorative and highly collectable art feature.
CONDITION Very Good. There is age-related wear to the enamel and crazing on the non-enamelled sections that is commensurable with the age of the piece, please see photos as they form part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c. 3.9" / 10 cm by c. 3.4" / 8.6 cm diameter (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 1.9" / 4.7 cm. Rim diameter: c. 1.6" / 4.1 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.2 kg / 220 g
NOTES Jar will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Japanese Cloisonne enamelware is a technique introduced to Japan around the Tokugawa period during the 16th century.
Cloisonne or 'Cloisonné' are metalwork objects with decoration that is applied by creating separating sections using wire or thin metal. The sections are filled with different coloured enamels to create a visual image or pattern and the whole piece be fired multiple times to realise the colours.
Sanyu Glassworks Citrine Amber, Emerald Green and Silver Foil Japanese Art Glass Dish, 1960s-70s
Regular price£78.00
Save £-78.00
This beautifully sculpted and handblown piece is the work of mid-century Japanese glassworks Sanyu with the iconic Citrine Amber and Emerald Green tones. The blending of silver foil into the body of this piece combined with the form and condition makes this a particularly rare find.
The form is superbly organic with four 'petals' on either side of the inward-folding points and the sides of each petal is edged in clear crystal casing. The highly tactile and undulating form gives this piece a brilliantly prismatic ability. The hidden prismatic magic in this piece is very apparent when it is placed in the pathway of sunlight and surfaces light up from the refractions thrown.
CONDITION Excellent. No chips or cracks or damage, There is very mild wear of movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurate with age. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The base of the dish bears the Japanese hallmark of the smooth concave pontil.
MEASUREMENTS Height: c." / 8.6 cm tall x c." / 18.5 cm width (across widest point). Base measurements: c. c." / 11 cm (across widest point). Unpackaged weight c. 1.2 kg / 1,240 g
NOTES Dish will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY Sanyu Glass Co. is based in Osaka, Japan and has been producing art glass since the 1950s. Similar to other better known Japanese glassworks of Iwatsu and Hineri, the quality and style is often mistaken for Murano and Czech glass from the same era.
Though knowledge of the Japanese glassworks is scarce in the Western countries, what is known is that the quality of Japanese art glass during the 1950s to the 1970s rivalled that of Murano, Scandinavian, and Czech glass production. Recognition has been relatively low and most pieces imported into the Western market are 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.
Iwatsu Hineri Glassworks, Handblown Sculpted Dish in Summer Berries Palette, 1960s-70s, Japanese
Regular price£75.00
Save £-75.00
This outstanding work of mid-century handblown art glass is of Japanese art glass design and by the well known Japanese glassworks of Iwatsu who were known to have produced art glass under the labels of Hineri and Art Glass.
There is an air of graceful elegance in the form of this piece and has accents that are similar to a dish from the Fantasy series by another well known Japanese art glass studio Sanyu. The form of the main body proudly displays the evenly curved and organically shaped segments which alternate between curling and unfurling. The palette of this piece is a combination of Raspberry pink, Grape purple, Blueberries and Blueberry Soda blue. The colour palette combined with the form makes this piece a rare find.
CONDITION Excellent. No chips or cracks or repairs, the most considerable age-wear are movement marks and flakes that are on the underside of the base and are commensurable with age. Please refer to 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. 2.2" / 5.5 cm (base to rim) Length/Width: c. 9.3" / 23.5 cm x c. 9.3" / 23.5 cm (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 4.3" / 11 cm x c. 4.3" / 11 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,260 g
NOTES Dish 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.
Early 20th Cen. Chinese Soapstone Zhusha Bottle and Seal with Carved Lotus and Lily Pad Relief
Regular price£73.00
Save £-73.00
THE ITEM
This carefully detailed piece has been beautifully worked by hand to create the carving of lotus flowers and lilypads relief on both sides of the bottle. The bottle is accompanied by a small spoon that is finished with a coral glass stopper and etch-trimmed brass collar.
Besides being a carving of great skill, this piece also served the purpose of a seal via the inscription of an 'archaic script' on its base. In ancient times, the carved seal script would be used to imprint its mark onto official documentation, paintings or works of poetry using the traditional '朱砂' or 'zhūshā' red ink or Cinnabar paste. In recent times, the seal would have been used to mark paintings or works of poetry.
The inside of the bottle holds traces of the Cinnabar paste as does the seal on the underside of the bottle.
CONDITION
Very Good. There is negligible age wear that is primarily in the form of minor chips to the soapstone that commensurable with the age of the piece, please refer to photos as part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS
c. 3.5" / 9 cm tall (from base to stopper) x 1.8" / 4.5 cm in width (across widest point) x c. 0.9" / 2.3 cm depth. Weight: c. 0.1kg / 139 g
NOTES
Bottle will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
