Verceram Ceramique, Mid Century Iridescent Manta Ray Dish, France, 1950s

This vivid work of mid-century handblown Japanese art glass design 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 corners with one flourishing curl are a classic to 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 into the extended corners.

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 4-petalled dishes in this palette are common but the tricorn form of this piece makes it a particularly rare find. 

CONDITION
Very good. No chips and cracks to the exterior. There is negligible surface wear and a micro bruise on the underside of the base that is commensurable with age. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The concave pontil on the underside of the base is a known finishing touch of Iwatsu.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 4.6" /  11.8 cm (base to rim). Width: c. 10" / 25.5 cm (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 3.7" / 9.4 cm (across widest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg /  1,315 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.

This delicious handblown work of Postmodern art glass is by leading Swedish glass artist Kjell Engman (b. 1946 -) for Kosta Boda. From his popular series named Bon Bon was designed by Engman in 1989, the series remained in production until 2005. 

Accoladed with the name 'Glass Wizard' for his seemingly unlimited imagination with art glass, it's easy to see why Engman named this series Bon Bon. With candy-coloured pieces ranging from pairing Lavender lilac with Lemon yellow to Marmalade orange with Sky blue in forms as joyful as the vibrant colour palette. 

The central part of this particular piece is spheroid-shaped, beautifully curved, and toned in Candied Sapphire blue. Embedded into the spheroid are the stripes of Coquelicot and Coral orange forming the neck, the merging of the two colours finishing in a lightly sanded texture. This work is further accented with a tiered stopper in candied tones of Sapphire, Lemon, Mint and Cherry. 

Vivid and vibrant, this excellent work is an addition of delight to its surrounding space.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repair. There is negligible surface wear and movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece - please see photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base is signed, denoting 'Kosta Boda, Artist's Coll[ection], K Engman, 89650'

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 10.4" / 26.5 cm tall (from base to stopper) x c. 6.2" / 15.7 cm in width (across widest point). Depth: c. 4.1" / 10.3 cm. Rim: c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm. Base: c. 2.6" / 6.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: 1.3 kg / 1,310 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Kjell Engman (b. 1946 -), was accoladed with the name 'Glass Wizard' for his seemingly unlimited imagination with art glass and known for being one of ten highly talented artists. Since joining Kosta Boda in 1978, Engman has designed a number of iconic series, drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as the animal kingdom, the world of music and entertainment.

Engman's style is distinctive and immediately recognisable. Common characteristics to his work include being bold, bright and colourful, ranging from the playful to the delicate to the sensuous. It could almost be described as Dali-esque and does not conform to preconceptions of simple, minimalist Swedish design.

Engman has often been commissioned at home in Sweden and abroad, designing works for public display and even famous pieces such as the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest trophy. Engman's latest works and installations can be found at his dedicated website: http://www.kjellengman.com/

This beautiful set is of Italian mid-century Modernist design by Kristal, Italy. Clearly, an Italian interpretation of the iconic Finnish Ultima Thule design for Iitala by Tapio Wirrkala in 1968 but this set brings with it its own design nuances. 

Instead of resting on melting icicles like that of the Ultima Thule, each piece of this set rests on polished-angle 'ice cubes' and resting centrally within the base of each ice cube, is a single bubble.  

This set is not only iconic with its tactile Modernist surface which create elegant refractions when in the path of light but it also has the ability to colour change. The colour-changing ability comes from Neodymium, an element incorporated into the glass during the crafting process. Under daylight, the Neodymium glass presents a pale lilac colour however, under indoor and fluorescent lighting, the element becomes a pale blue. 

The contemporary statement design is stylistically timeless and very functional, whether as dessert dishes or cocktail tumblers. 

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips or cracks or repairs. There is very mild surface wear that is commensurate with the age of each piece and most evident in subtle movement marks on the underside of the base. Please refer to the photos as they form part of the condition report. The jorum bears part of the original Kristal label. 

MEASUREMENTS
Jorum Height c. 4.3" / 11 cm. Width (widest point) measurements: c. 7.3" / 18.5 cm. Depth: c. 3.5" / 9 cm. Base measurements: c. 3" / 7.5 cm x c. 3" / 7.5cm. 

Tumbler Dish Height c. 3.1" / 8 cm. Width (widest point) measurements: c. 3.7" / 9.3 cm. Depth: c. 2.4" / 6cm. Base measurements: c. 2" / 5.2 cm x c. 2" / 5.2 cm.

Unpackaged weight [Full Set]: c. 2.9 kg / 2,940 g

This carefully hand-built and exquisitely illustrated work is by celebrated Danish illustrator and glass, silver, textiles, ceramics designer Bjorn Wiinblad (b. 1918 - d. 2006). This particular piece was created for Bjorn Wiinblad's very first ceramic workshop in Kongens Lyngby [tr. 'the King's Heather Town'], Denmark. 

The interconnecting form of this piece is that of a sweet songbird with the head cleverly forming the salt and pepper shaker and the body providing two small wells to hold liquids such as oil and vinegar. Highly romantic, Wiinblad applied his exceptional creativity and imagination to tactile details beyond the overall bird body. From the mildly raised eyes to the swelling wings, care is given down to the tiny crest atop the bird's head.

Handpainted onto the form is the blue-on-white illustrated design with beautifully intricate detailing with tiny rosettes, tendrils, and thistles adorning the body to create this highly tactile mythical songbird. 

Stylistically timeless, the design and excellent condition of this piece as well as Wiinblad's full signature with the rare beret-wearing artist caricature makes it a particularly rare and noteworthy find of Wiinblad's early work. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. There is mild wear that is most evident in the form of faint movement marks on the underside that is commensurable with the age of the piece. The underside bears the signature 'Bjorn Wiinblad, 56 [year of production], DANMARK' and artist caricature.

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 4.1" / 10.3 cm (from base to rim) x width c. 2.4" / 6.2 cm (across widest point). Length: c. 5.2" / 13.3 cm (longest point). Base: c. 2" / 5 cm x c. 2.3" / 5.8 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.2 kg / 200 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Bjorn Wiinblad (b. 1918 - d. 2006) Born in 1918 in Copenhagen, Bjorn Wiinblad began his training and path to success in 1935. Wiinblad sought the path to his first passion of art and enrolled in graphic school at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, debuting in 1945 with an extensive exhibition in Palægade, Copenhagen. He met and became firm friends with Jacob E. Bang around this time, who engaged him to work for Nymølle Pottery.

From the beginnings at Nymolle, Wiinblad received multiple commissions, from designing textile and embroidery patterns to drawing posters, books, and magazine illustrations. Wiinblad drew for the United Nations in Paris and designed costumes and stages for several theatrical performances. His fame grew in Denmark but soon would extend to Norway and Sweden and in 1950 his ceramics were exhibited at Bonnier's in New York, which specialised in Scandinavian design.

Wiinblad's recognition and acclaim would continue to grow, bringing him a silver medal at the first international ceramics festival in 1955 in Cannes, France, and appointment as artistic director for Rosenthal in 1960. During the 1960s, Wiinblad would become the owner of a number of ceramic studios including Vaerksted, Nymolle, and Det Blaa Hus. He would make Det Blaa Hus his workshop and home until his death in 2006.

Wiinblad's successes did not stop in the Sixties, his continued achievements and international success were extensively documented and celebrated: https://www.rosendahl.com/en/intl/bjoern-wiinblad/stories/about-bjorn-wiinblad

Standing at over 9" tall and 12" wide, this majestic work of mid-century handblown Japanese art glass is attributed to the Iwatsu glassworks, Hineri range. 

Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville

The core form of this piece is the typical Fazzoletto handkerchief shape that has been subtly exaggerated by extending the graceful, rippling swathes outwards to create the abstract Anemone form. The Scarlet red blends seamlessly into the Violet with the intensity of the hues matching the curves and folds. The piece is finished with an accent of a clear glass footing the base. 

Amongst collectors, the skill and quality applied in creating Japanese art glass is very much known to rival its European counterparts and can often be more difficult to find as sellers will mistake the glass for European. 

Stylistically timeless, the combination of the size, form and colour palette makes this piece a particularly rare find that would suit well for display as a centrepiece.  

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips and cracks. There is negligible surface wear to the base of the that is commensurable with age. Mentioned for completeness: there are minor inclusions in the body that are from the crafting 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 and Japanese glass generally. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 9.4" / 23.8 cm (base to rim). Width: c. 12" / 30.6 cm (across widest point). Base measurements: c. 4" / 10.2 cm (across widest point) Depth: c. 7.7" / 19.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.8 kg /  1,800 g

NOTES
Centrepiece 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.

Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville

This set of exemplary Postmodern design captures many of the Eighties design influences and is an iconic series by the American ceramist and glass artist Dorothy Hafner (b.1952 -)

The surface artwork is of neon-esque pastel colours composed into bold, edgy geometric shapes, interspersed with pop-art accent patterns. The artwork wraps itself around the body of all pieces with Hafner's signature marking the designs.

This striking and vibrant set consists of 5 teacups, saucers, dining plates, teapot and teapot warmer that would be ideal for either display or for functional use. 

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or scratches. There is negligible use wear that is most notable on the underside. The underside of the base for all pieces bears the Rosenthals insignia stamp with Hafner's signature present on the surface artwork or underside.

MEASUREMENTS
Unpackaged weight: c. 6.4 kg / 6,350 g

A BIT OF HISTORY
Born in 1952 in Woodbridge, Connecticut, Dorothy Hafner earned her bachelor's degree from Skidmore College in 1974. In 1976, Hafner served as director of the international department of the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York and for two years after, became an artist-in-residence at Artpark in Lewiston, New York.

By1979 she set up Art in Dining in New York City, under which she designed porcelain tableware for such firms as Neiman Marcus and Tiffany & Co, and in 1982, began her work for Rosenthal.

Winning numerous honors and awards for her work, two works by Hafner are featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Though she began her career as a ceramist, she turned exclusively to glasswork in 1997.