Glass - Japanese

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 3 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 and finish with an accent of clear glass at the base.

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.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 3.1" / 7.8 cm (base to rim) Diameter: c. 7.4" / 18.8 cm (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 3.1" / 8 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1 kg / 970 g

NOTES
Dish 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 vibrant handblown work of mid-century Japanese 'Fazzoletto' art glass is by Hokuyo 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 6 lobed 'petals' rise and fall asymmetrically to create an organic 'unfurling'. The Hokuyo interpretation of the Fazzoletto technique, the exterior of this piece has the palette of rich Scarlet red with light swathes of Charcoal ending in a clear casing at the base. The interior is a sumptuous Milk-white strikingly offsetting the red exterior. 

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 the photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base has a concave pontil, a known finishing touch of many Japanese glassworks.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 8.5" / 21.5 cm (base to rim). Width: c. 7.1" / 18 cm (across widest point). Base measurement: c. 3.3" / 8.3 cm (across widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 1.6 kg / 1,555 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Hokuyo Glassworks
Founded in 1949 in the prefecture of Aomori in Japan, Hokuyo built a reputation for producing glass floats for fishing and eventually became known as a top producer by the early 1970s. Around this time, the glassworks also became known for producing Tsugaru Bidoro (Tsugaru glass) and experimenting with vibrant art glass. 

Tsugaru Bidoro is created by a 'free-blown' technique of glass-blowing originating in the 1st Century BC. Over the years, Hokuyo has continued to experiment with molding technology and coloured glass that today, emphasises the four seasons with colour as well as the 'creator's feelings and passion'. 

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.