This strikingly vibrant work of mid-century handblown art glass is of Japanese art glass design and by the Japanese glassworks Iwatsu, who were also known to have produced art glass under the labels of Hineri and Art Glass.
Highly tactile and organic, this work has an air of flowing gracefulness in the lightly rippled rim. The colour palette begins as a core of Marigold yellow and Garnet red which swirl together outwards meeting the Azur blue halfway and combining together into alternating bands. The fluid swirls reach out as arcs to form the handle and the overall piece is completed with base of clear glass 'Sommerso' casing that is shaped as a chiselled diamond. The red and blue tones are translucent, offering spectacular refractions when placed in the path of sunlight.
Though the colour palette is iconic to Hineri Iwatsu's works, the form is particularly rare. This stylistically timeless and joyful piece makes for an excellent display on its own or could even serve as a small planter.
CONDITION
Excellent. There are no chips or cracks with only very faint surface wear and movement marks that are on the underside of the base, which are 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 Iwatsu.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 10" / 25 cm (base to rim) Diameter: c. 5.7" / 14.5 cm (across widest points). Dish depth: c. 3.3" / 8.3 cm. Base measurements: c. 2" / 5.2 cm x c. 2" / 5.2 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.0 kg / 990 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.