1970s Maltese Mdina Pulled Ears 'Poppa', Amber, Purple, Blue and Yellow Biomorphic Art Glass Vase

THE ITEM

This beautiful work of Modernist sculpted art glass is designed by glass artist, designer and artist Jiří Šuhájek (b.1943 -) for Czech Crystalex Novy Bor glassworks. Šuhájek is recognised for his sculptural and contemporary glass designs which highlight colour and unique forms.

The form of this dish is softly organic yet substantial, with mildly exaggerated curves which creates multiple effects in how the glass interacts with light; from magnifying to refracting to prismatic. 

Captured within the clear glass casing of the dish and using the commonly known Sommerso technique are colours evocative of the oil paintings of Monet's Gardens. There is a marbled welling of colour towards the tip of the dish, it's shape reminiscent of a leaf or a jellyfish. The colour palette is an overlaying of opaque and translucent yellow, white and pink, the colours captured during its moments of blending and merging. 

An excellent work of art glass to complement a collection or displayed standalone for an ethereal pop of colour. 

CONDITION

Excellent. No chips or cracks. Commensurable with the age of the piece, there is negligible wear that is most prominent in movement marks and two tiny fleabites to the underside of the base. Please refer to photos as part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS

Height c. 2.2" / 5.5 cm x c. 6.3" / 16 cm width (across the widest point). Base diameter: c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm. Weight c. 0.9 kg / 920 g

NOTES

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

 A BIT OF HISTORY

Jiří Šuhájek (b. 1943 -) graduated from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague in 1971 in the studio of Professor Stanislav Libenský.

Šuhájek's design is highly acclaimed at home and abroad, receiving many awards from prestigious events abroad as well as a number of major design awards from the Ministry of Industry and Design Center of the Czech Republic. He has had numerous exhibitions and is represented in art collections of major galleries and museums from England to the United States to Japan. 

During Šuhájek's career, he has held positions such as Artistic Director of BAG Glassworks at Barovier and Toso, working at Venini Glassworks as well as Designer and Artist at Moser Glassworks.

Presenting a sculpted work of Italian Mid Century Modern, Modernist design by the Bertoncello pottery that was sadly closed in 1999. 

The sumptuous glaze of this piece is smooth to touch and not too overtly glossy. Visually, it presents as a refined blending of rich, pale vanilla that is feathered with deep sienna, giving additional depth. Step back and look at the piece as a whole, the effect resembles leather or marbled stone.

The gently exaggerated curves in the 'bulb' and handle of the form adds to the sculpted look, as well as aesthetic balance.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Bertoncello Ceramiche was founded in Schiavon, Italy around 1956. For many years it was run solely by a Mr. Lini and Giovanni Bertoncello (1930-2011), but by the 1970s had a staff of around 30. Giovanni was the creative force behind the forms and glazes, supported later by a Mr. Boatto – a Venetian teacher.

Sadly not a lot is known about the company because all its catalogues and archives were destroyed when the company closed in 1999. The forms of Bertoncello pottery are often very sculptural, modern and organic and some look like smaller studies or maquettes for massive modernist sculptures that are yet to be built. This sculptural appearance of many pieces was enhanced by the use of feet which subtly raise the piece off the surface on which it sits.

CONDITION

Excellent, no chips, cracks or scratches to the body. There is imperceptible use wear ( mainly in light movement marks on the underside of the vase's base) - please refer to photos as part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 7.3" / 18.5 cm tall by c. 4.7" / 12 cm wide (across body's widest point). Base diameter: c. 2.4" / 6 cm

Unpackaged weight: c. 0.4 kg / 352 g

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

THE ITEM
This superb work of Italian Mid Century Modernist design is by the Bertoncello pottery that was sadly closed in 1999. 

The glaze is silky and smooth to touch and visually, is a refined blending of rich and golden ochre, tinged with sienna which gives added depth. Step back to look at the piece as a whole, it resembles well-aged tanned leather or Italian marble.

Like Antoni Gaudi's architecture, there are no sharp angles or perfectly straight lines to this piece but nor are there unnecessarily exaggerated curves where there shouldn't be. Overall, there is great aesthetic balance.

A rare size, the height and width lends great presence and makes this piece a work of art that can hold court in its own space and would perhaps even tower over others in a collection. Would suit a retro, mid century modern, contemporary, vintage or even industrial decor themed room.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Bertoncello Ceramiche was founded in Schiavon, Italy around 1956. For many years it was run solely by a Mr. Lini and Giovanni Bertoncello (1930-2011), but by the 1970s had a staff of around 30. Giovanni was the creative force behind the forms and glazes, supported later by a Mr. Boatto – a Venetian teacher.

Sadly not a lot is known about the company because all its catalogues and archives were destroyed when the company closed in 1999. The forms of Bertoncello pottery are often very sculptural, modern and organic and some look like smaller studies or maquettes for massive modernist sculptures that are yet to be built. This sculptural appearance of many pieces was enhanced by the use of feet which subtly raise the piece off the surface on which it sits.

CONDITION
Excellent, only very light movement marks to the base - commensurable with age of the piece - no chips, scratches, cracks or crazing to the vase body. There are a few tiny 'fleabite' chips along the rim of the base which are not noticeable when the vase is upright - please see photos as part of the condition report. Base bears the number '933'.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 16" / 41 cm tall by c. 8" / 20 cm wide (across body's widest point)

Unpackaged weight: c. 1.5 kg / 1,539 g

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

Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville

This exceptionally sculptural work of Italian mid-century Modern design by the Bertoncello Ceramiche D'Arte (estd. c.1956 - c.1999).  The form is that of a 3D crescent moon partially embedded into the surface the piece rests upon. The sumptuous glaze of this piece is silky to touch that is not too overtly glossy. Visually, it presents as a refined blending of rich, Vanilla Cream that is feathered with deep sienna, giving additional depth. Take a step back to view this piece as a whole and the effect resembles leather or marbled stone.

This work would suit a space with Modernist, Minimalist and Mid Century décor, either as a standalone work of art ceramic or functionally as a vase or planter. The majestic size, refined form and overall condition of this piece makes it a rare find. 

CONDITION
Excellent, there are no chips, cracks or repairs. There is imperceptible use wear, most visible in the movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The form number '972' is marked on the underside of the base.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 10.2" / 26 cm. Length c. 11" / 28 cm (across body's longest point). Depth: c. 4.7" / 12 cm. Base measurements: c. 5.9" / 15 cm x c. 3" / 7.6 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,285 g

A BIT OF HISTORY
Bertoncello Ceramiche D'Arte was founded in Schiavon, Italy around 1956 and was first known as LBP, an acronym created with the first letters of the founders surnames Mr Lini, Giovanni Bertoncello and Mr Pizzato.

For many years it was run solely by Giovanni Bertoncello (b. 1930 - d. 2011) and his brother Felice after Mr Lini left the company a few years after the pottery's founding. By the 1970s the pottery had grown to a staff of around 30 with Giovanni being the creative driving force behind the forms and glazes. In the early years, Giovanni benefited from some support from a Venetian teacher, Mr. Boatto.

Sadly not a lot is known about the company as all its catalogues and archives were destroyed when the company closed in 1999, however, the legacy of Bertoncello's design is undeniable in the history of Italian mid-century art ceramics.

Bertoncello's signature designs are often very sculptural, with echoes of geometricism and modern architecture. Dramatic curves, rounded edges and corners, pierced forms and an organic feel are recurring features

This stunning work of mid-century handblown art glass was designed by Josef Hospodka during his time at Chribska glassworks.

This sculpted piece is very well balanced with its 4 lobes elegantly drawn upwards, creating the gently curved wakes along the four sides of the glass. The colour palette of this piece makes it a rare find, as encased within the glass is a striking Cranberry red which brilliantly contrasts the icy Periwinkle blue. These captivating and captivated colours are encased in clear glass with the whole piece being finished with the classic Hospodka accent of opaque white glass along the rim.

This piece would be well suited to a room with Modernist, Contemporary or even Industrialist theme inspired decor.

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips, cracks or repairs. There are few movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with age - please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 9.4" / 24 cm from its tallest point x c. 5.9" / 15 cm wide (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 2.9" / 7.3cm. Weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,285 g

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.

A BIT OF HISTORY
The founding of Chřibská glassworks dates back to 1414 and is considered to be one of the oldest glassworks in the world. Chřibská operated without interruption for almost six centuries, the glassworks full name Sklarna Chribska was based in the Czech Republic and was well-known for their sculptural art glass vases and bowls. Chribska remained in production until very recently and eventually 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 in Prague from 1938-40, followed by the School for Decorative Arts in Prague from 1940-45 under Professor Holecek. He was the head of the glass cutting department at the Specialised School for Glassmaking at Novy Bor from 1945-51, headmaster at the Chribskà glassworks training school from 1951-58, and head designer at the Borské Sklo glassworks from 1858-60, and from 1964-70. He is best known for his many highly successful and prolifically produced colourful and curving hot-worked designs produced for Chribskà, of which he was a director from 1960-64.

"Hospodka is best known at Chribská for his brightly coloured organic forms designed from the mid-1950s-60s and inspired by glass produced on Murano. However, he was considerably more inventive, and utilised fully the hot-working talents of the glassmakers at Chribská."

- Source: Mark Hill

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.