Asian

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 beautifully sculpted and handblown piece is the work of mid-century Japanese glassworks Sanyu with the iconic Citrine Amber and Emerald Green. This classic Sanyu palette is accentuated with a cradling of rich Lapis Lazuli Blue at the base of the vibrant green. Wrapped around this central well of colour is a diagonal ribbon of alternating gold and silver avventurrine. 

Last but absolutely not least, enveloping the jewel-like colour is the handblown clear crystal casing, shaped with a gentle twist. 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. 

Whilst the Amber and Green is a common Sanyu colour combination, the addition of the blue, the gold avventurine and the arched form makes this piece a rare find. 

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.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 9" / 23 cm tall x c. 4.7" / 12 cm width (across widest point). Base: c. 2.4" / 6 cm (across widest point). Unpackaged weight c. 1.8 kg / 1,800 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.

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.

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 vibrant handblown work of mid-century Japanese 'Fazzoletto' art glass is by Iwatsu Hineri glassworks. Glass collectors familiar with the Murano technique Fazzoletto (translation 'handkerchief) will know that this is the art of crafting glass to mimic the elegant flowing folds of fabric.

Elegant and graceful, the curves that shape the 5 lobed 'petals' create an organic 'unfurling' from the centre. The Iwatsu Hineri interpretation of the Fazzoletto technique, this particular piece has the rarer colour palette of Buttercup yellow, Scarlet red and Electric blue vs the more common Apricot peach, Scarlet red and Violet purple palette.

The colours swirl gloriously from the centre within the clear-cased base with the capturing of colour rival to the Murano Sommerso ['submerged'] technique. The interior of the vase enables a view of the swirling into the varying intensities of colour into the folds and lobes of the vase.

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.

CONDITION
Excellent. There are faint movement marks that are on the underside of the base. All wear is 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. 5.8" / 14.7 cm (base to rim). Width: c. 7.4" / 18.8 cm (across widest point). Base measurement: c. 2.2" / 5.7 cm (across widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 1.2 kg / 1,205 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.