Vases

This stunning work iconic to Troika Studio Pottery (est. 1962 cse. 1983) called the 'Anvil', brings with it the earthy vibes of British Cornish pottery and Modernist design influences. 

Beautifully Modern, the form, deeply incised Sgraffito decor, and glaze bear all of Troika's hallmarks of edgy, textured, and unconventional production techniques.  Avant-garde techniques included utilising sediment from the local tin mines, household emulsion paint and melted broken glass. The hallmarks of the founder's vision resulted in innovative and extraordinary works of art that were highly popular during their time and exceptionally collectable today. 

This exceptional piece is suitable for a standalone statement display or paired with other Modernist greats such as Peter Ellery for Tremaen, Barbara Hepworth, Marian Zawadski or Roger Veal for Tolcarne.   

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, damage, or repairs. There is very mild use wear that is most evident in the interior and movement marks on the underside of the base, please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the vase bears 'TROIKA CORNWALL' and 'LJ' for decorator Louise Jinks. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 8.5" / 21.5 cm x Width: c. 9" / 23 cm (across widest point). Depth c. 2.6" / 6.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.6 kg / 1,590 g

A BIT OF HISTORY
Founded in 1962 by Lesley Illsley, Jan Thompson and Benny Sirota who each contributed £1,000 to purchase the Powell and Wells Pottery at Wheel Dream, St Ives. They bought the pottery with a vision for distinctive, individualistic wares and were not afraid to experiment with unconventional production ideas, methods and materials. 

They chose the name Troika (meaning a Russian sleigh drawn by three horses) for its sharp, angular sound that hinted at the sharp, angular forms they had in mind for production. Fantastic designs were produced including Cycladic masks with Aztec-esque decor and heavily textured monolithic wares that would go on to become a trademark. 

In 1968 Troika ware was sold by Heals and Liberty in London during the peak of the pottery thriving. This continued into 1970 when they left the Wheel Dream for larger premises in Fradgan Place, Newlyn, with a staff of 15.

It was in the mid-1970s that changing public taste, declining tourism, and economic strife saw the first strains to the pottery and it would be 1983 before Troika would finally wound up in December 1983.

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

This striking work of Swedish mid-century Modernist design is by Tilgmans Keramik of Gothenburg, Sweden, and was designed during the era of Marian Zawadzki (b. 1912 - d. 1978) a professor, artist, and ceramist who became artistic director for Tilgmans during the fifties. A bottle vase personally incised and signed by Zawadski in an aesthetically similar style can be seen in the photos. 

Zawadzki's experimentation with the Sgraffito technique brought great popularity and appreciation for Tilgman's ceramics and his work became exemplary for Tilgmans. 

Zawadzki's stylised use of the Sgraffito technique is a significant feature in this piece, with deep incisions creating the angular and textured décor. True to the roots of Modernist design, the simple bottle form and boldly geometric décor overlaid onto the base material speaks to an honest expression of the natural earthenware. From the incised décor to the glaze to the earthenware, all aspects are highly tactile. The unglazed sections creates confident contrast against the individually glazed sections of boldly geometric, Sgraffito décor. The vase is finished with an interior of gloss glaze that is coloured in a dappled brown on beige, a 'cookies and cream' effect. 

This Swedish Modernist work is stylistically bold and timeless, making it suitable as a statement feature for its surrounding space.

CONDITION
Superb. No cracks or repairs. There are minor, negligible chips on the exterior which are commensurate with the age of the piece, and mild use wear on the interior. Please refer to the photos as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base of the vase is stamped with 'Tilgmans Keramik' and 'Made in Sweden' stamp and model number '619'. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 16.9" / 43 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 3.5" / 8.8 cm rim. Base diameter: c. 5.1" / 13 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 2.2 kg / 2,230 g.

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Marian Zawadzki (b. 1912 - d. 1978)
Antoni Marian Zawadzki (sometimes known as 'Zawadski' or 'Zawadsky') was an associate professor, artist and ceramist, was born in Poland in 1912 who, as a refugee, moved to Gothenburg in Sweden in 1953. In Gothenburg he worked as an artistic director at Tilgmans Keramik. Zawadzki's best known for his richly decorated objects in the Sgraffito technique.

His works included lamp bases, vases, bowls, urns and wall plates and he would receive commissions for public, municipal and private buildings. Zawadzki would leave Tilgman's Ceramics in 1970, moving to Vallda outside Kungsbacka where he opened his own workshop, Vallda Keramik. The production in his own workshop is very similar to his work at Tilgmans.

This gorgeous work of original Art Deco design is by the British company Beswick Pottery. From the softly geometric, chasing triangles in raised relief decor to the classic ginger urn form with the twist of added depressions of 'dimples', the form of this piece is clean and elegant and classically Art Deco. The excellent form is complimented by a semi-matte Pale-Grey dappled on Stone base glaze complimented by the handpainted, stylised flora decor in powdered tones of Teal, Buttercup, Cornflower and Lilac.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is natural and mild crazing all over and light use wear on the interior of the vase that is commensurate with the age of this piece. The underside of the base is inscribed with 'Beswick Ware, MADE IN ENGLAND' and the impressed model number '70'.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7" / 18 cm tall (from rim to base) x c. 5.3" / 13.5 cm wide (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 3.5" / 9 cm. Weight: c. 0.8 kg / 750 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
The Beswick firm was founded around the 1890s by John Beswick in Staffordshire, UK. His son James would take over upon his death, introducing a new range of jugs, bowls and vases decorated with new matt glazes. Responding to the modernist influence in design, many of these highly distinctive shapes were designed by Mr Symcox and decorated in 'satin matt' glazes using soft pastel colours running into each other or arranged in striking modern geometric blocks and lines. Beswick would go on to become known for their ceramic animal figures before being taken over by Royal Doulton in 1969 and finally closing in the early 2000s.

Though it is said these pieces will never be worth thousands, still, there is revived and growing interest in these Art Deco pieces as they survive in very good condition.

These sleek and chic works of iconic mid-century Modern art pottery are by celebrated and prominent designer Kurt Tschörner (b. 1912 - d. 1987) for the influential West German Pottery studio of Ruscha Keramik (1905 - 1996). 

The form features gently exaggerated curves and arches all over, reminiscent of popular works of Italian art potteries such as Bertoncello Ceramiche and Roberto Rigon with echoes of architectural geometricism worked into the design. The form is an excellent canvas for the semi-matte and textured lava glaze with similarly bold, hand-painted curves, delineation, charming florals, and colour palette. 

With the seamlessly blended echoes of Italian mid-century art pottery design and earlier Art Deco and Picasso-Cubist-esque influences to the form, it's easy to see why this form is sought after. 

The combination of the form, condition, sizes, and palette makes this duo an even rarer find. These statement works are excellent for stand-alone display.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repair. There is negligible surface wear and movement marks on the underside of the bases that is commensurable with the age of the pieces - please see photos as part of the condition report. The underside of the bases are signed - the taller: '321/4, Ruscha, Handgemalt (Handmade) M' and the smaller '321/3, Ruscha, Handgemalt (Handmade) Ed'. 

MEASUREMENTS
321/4 Height: c. 9.6" / 24.3 cm (from base to rim) x c.  6.5" / 16.5 cm in length (across longest point). Width: c.  4.3" / 11  cm. Base measurements: c.  3.5" /  9 cm. 

321/3 Height: c. 7.9" / 20 cm (from base to rim) x c.  5.1" / 13 cm in length (across longest point). Width: c.  3.9" / 10 cm. Base measurements: c.  2.9" /  7.3 cm. Unpackaged weight [Pair]: c. 1.2 kg / 1,215 g

A BIT OF HISTORY
Ruscha (established 1906 - 1996) Originally founded in Rheinbach by Georg Schardt, it was known as Klein & Schardt until 1948. Rudolf Schardt would take over the company and rename it to Ruscha, the name created from the first letters of his fore and surname. As Ruscha entered the ceramics boom in the 1950s, the pottery was joined by art pottery director Cili Wörsdörfer who made her handpainted designs for series such as Milano and Zebra wildly popular. Otto Gerharz was the production director, designing innovative glazes such as Vulkano. 

Ruscha would later add to its success with Kurt Tschörner joining in the 1960s, designing whimsical and daring forms such as the 313 and 321 jug vase that became and remain sought-after hits. 

Other greats who joined Ruscha included Ernst Borens, Hans Welling and Adele Bolz. Unfortunately, the pottery's success came to an end in the 1990s, when it finally closed its doors in 1996, selling its name and many designs to Scheurich who produced vintage-inspired designs under the 'Ruscha Art' brand. 

This rare and stunning work of Italian mid-century Modern art pottery is by Fratelli Fanciullacci (1862-1988) from the stylised Town series that was designed and in production between the 1950s to 1960s, during the Italian ceramics boom.

The Town series* is characterised by its highly tactile Sgraffito on raw clay décor that is beautifully juxtaposed against the gloss, semi-matte and lava glaze techniques. The base is a rich and matte Cookie-toned earthenware, upon which is incised the geometric town buildings and landscape silhouettes. The vibrant colour palette of Lime green, Tomato Red and Dandelion yellow is boldly offset against the tones of Chocolate, Cookie browns and Milk white. The interior is further gloss glazed in white which enables this to be used functionally. 

Timeless in aesthetic style yet very representative of the mid-century Italian Modern design movement, this piece is in excellent condition with the design and form being particularly rare find.

*Reference: Page: 121, Alla Moda, Italian Ceramics of 1950s-70s, Mark Hill, Published 2012 

CONDITION
Excellent, there are no cracks, or repairs. There is mild surface wear to the glaze that is commensurate with age. The underside of the vase is noted with the model number '7852'. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 8.4" / 21.3 cm tall (from base to tallest point). Rim diameter: c. 3.2" / 8.2 cm. Diameter (across widest point): c. 5.9" / 15 cm. Base measurements: c. 4" /  10.2 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.0 kg / 985 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Fratelli Fanciullacci (f. 1862 - c. 1988) came from an illustrious lineage with family members having worked for the Ginori porcelain company since the 1700s. Founded as Ceramich Capraia by Raffaello Fanciullacci, it would be the late 1870s before being renamed as Fratelli Fanciullacci.

As early as the 1910s, Fanciullacci became the single largest employer in Montelupo Fiorentino offering over 1,000 different forms and a plethora of patterns and glazes by 1914. During the 1920s-30s, the team included Aldo Londi (who would go on to found Bitossi). Fanciullacci was known for reflecting public desires and contemporary taste in their work. Modern design was introduced shortly after WWII with inspiration taken from Modern art offering a profusion of clean-lined, geometrically influenced forms in a vivacious rainbow of colours. During the mid-century period, over 90% of Fanciullacci's production was exported abroad. 

Sadly, the natural disaster of the River Arno flooding in November 1966 meant widespread destruction, forced closure and redundancies for over a year. Though Fanciullacci rallied in the 1970s, cheaper production abroad resulted in loss of market share and after a number of falterings, Fanciullacci would eventually close in 1988. 

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.

These stunning works of Swedish mid-century Modernist design are by Hjördis Oldfors (b. 1920 - d. 2014) for Upsala Ekeby. Oldfors was a celebrated Swedish ceramicist, painting, and textile artist, known for the many series she designed at Upsala Ekeby which went on to become classics. 

Designed and in production between 1958 to 1961, this hand crafted work of art pottery comes from Oldfors' City series, for which there are 5 works of vases and dishes. 

The City series is characterised by its highly tactile décor. The base is a rich and matte chocolate-toned earthenware, upon which is incised the interlocking geometric pattern. Reminiscent of stylised city plan blueprints, the incised ‘paths’ are highlighted with the glossy Pale Pistachio green glaze. The work is further complimented by a vivid, glossy Sunshine yellow on the interior. 

Timeless in aesthetic style yet very representative of the mid-century Swedish Modernist design movement, both works are in excellent condition with the vase being a particularly rare find.

CONDITION
Excellent, there are no chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild surface wear that is commensurate with age. The reverse of the dish is stamped with Upsala Ekebys 'UE' and Oldfors 'HJ' monogram and the model number '5174'. The underside of the vase is stamped with Upsala Ekebys 'UE' and Oldfors 'HJ' monogram and the model number '5176'. 

MEASUREMENTS
- Dish: Height: c. 2" / 5.2 cm (from base to rim). Rim measurements: c. 6.5" / 16.5 cm x c. 9.2" / 23.4 cm. Depth: c. 1.9" / 4.8 cm. Base diameter measurements: c. 6" / 15.3 cm x c. 3.4" / 8.6 cm. 

- Vase: Height: c. 9.1" / 23 cm tall (from base to tallest point). Rim diameter: c. 1.3" / 3.3 cm. Diameter (across widest point): c. 3.5" / 8.8 cm. Base measurements: c. 2.4" / 6 cm x c. 2" / 5 cm. 

Unpackaged weight [Combined]: c. 1.1 kg / 1,125 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Hjördis Hanna Maria Oldfors (b. 1920 - d. 2014) was a celebrated Swedish ceramicist, painting, and textile artist. Oldfors is known for many series she designed at Upsala Ekeby which went on to become classics; including Poäng (Points), Kokos (Coconut), Trio (Trio), Palma (Palma), and Granit (Granite). Oldfors is represented at a number of museums including; National Museum (Sweden), Röhsska Museum, and at the Nordenfjeldske Konstindustrimuseum.

Though Oldfors was a late arrival to her ceramics career, beginning her studies in 1947 in Gothenburg, she became incredibly successful. Her career at Upsala Ekeby began in 1950 when she was 30 and she would go on to set up her own studio 'Bränd Form' with a number of exhibitions representing Upsala Ekeby and her own studio. The curators of the day are notably known to have said "She has an astonishing certainty in the abstract decor and its adaptation to the form. In this area, she does not have many competitors in our ceramics."

This striking and sculptural work of mid-century Swedish Modernistic design is by Lillemor Mannerheim (b. 1927 - d. 1994). Mannerheim was a countess, ceramicist, and illustrator who designed this Labrynt (Labryinth) vase in 1954 for Gefle Keramiks, together with a number of her other well-known series such as Kulisaner, Dixie, Mambo, Singoalla and Pärlor.

This elegant Labrynt vase features Mannerheim's gentle swelling design characteristic which tapers into fluted rim to create the flask form. This form is overlaid with the rich, semi-matte Onyx black glaze called Mangania that was a feature of many of Mannerheim's most popular series. The piece is finished with the hand-glazed gloss swirling in Powdered Lime tone on both sides to further elevate the piece. 

The combination of the form, glaze and Modernistic accents gives the overall piece a stylistically timeless presence. And yet the design of this piece is completely suited to the Atomic Design period that it's from, when space exploration and futuristic influences were at the forefront of world news.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. There is mild use wear, predominantly in the form of movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece. The underside of the base bears 'Gefle' and 'Lillemor' stamp and inscribed with the model number 'M43' and 'Labrynt'. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 11.4" / 29 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 3.9" / 10 cm diameter (across widest point). Rim measurements: c. 4.6" / 11.7 cm x c. 1.6" / 4 cm. Base Measurements: c. 2" / 5.2 cm x c. 2.2" / 5.7 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.6 kg / 630 g

A BIT OF HISTORY
Lillemor Mannerheim (b. 1927 - d. 1994) Ingeborg Aina Sophie Constance "Lillemor" Mannerheim-Klingspor was a countess, a ceramicist and illustrator who began her studies into art and design in 1945, at the end of WWII. Mannerheim began her career at Gefle in 1949, designing a number of popular series such as Kulisaner, Dixie, Labyrint, Mambo, Pärlor, Föl, Solros and Singoalla. She also designed a number of figurines and sculptures during her time at Gefle where she remained until 1957. 

Mannerheim spent time studying in Italy and France at the end of the 1950s before taking her career to the next step at Rorstrand in 1960. Her art is represented in a number of museums in France, Sweden and Finland. 

This striking and sculptural work of mid-century Swedish Modernistic design is by Lillemor Mannerheim (b. 1927 - d. 1994). Mannerheim was a countess, ceramicist, and illustrator who designed this Dixie vase in 1957 for Gefle Keramiks, together with a number of her other well-known series such as Kulisaner, Labyrint, Mambo, Singoalla and Pärlor.

This elegant Dixie vase features Mannerheim's gentle swelling design characteristic which tapers into fluted rim to create the flask form. This form is overlaid with the rich, semi-matte Onyx black glaze called Mangania that was a feature of many of Mannerheim's most popular series. The piece is finished with hand glazed gold angular and linear accents serves to further elevate the piece. 

The combination of the form, glaze and Modernistic accents gives the overall piece a stylistically timeless presence. And yet the design of this piece is completely suited to the Atomic Design period that it's from, when space exploration and futuristic influences were at the forefront of world news.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. There is mild use wear, predominantly in the form of movement marks on the underside of the base that is commensurable with the age of the piece. The underside of the base bears 'Gefle' and 'Lillemor' stamp and inscribed with the model number 'M43'. 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 11.4" / 29 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 3.9" / 10 cm diameter (across widest point). Rim measurements: c. 4.6" / 11.7 cm x c. 1.6" / 4 cm. Base Measurements: c. 2" / 5.2 cm x c. 2.2" / 5.7 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.6 kg / 630 g

A BIT OF HISTORY
Lillemor Mannerheim (b. 1927 - d. 1994) Ingeborg Aina Sophie Constance "Lillemor" Mannerheim-Klingspor was a countess, a ceramicist and illustrator who began her studies into art and design in 1945, at the end of WWII. Mannerheim began her career at Gefle in 1949, designing a number of popular series such as Kulisaner, Dixie, Labyrint, Mambo, Pärlor, Föl, Solros and Singoalla. She also designed a number of figurines and sculptures during her time at Gefle where she remained until 1957. 

Mannerheim spent time studying in Italy and France at the end of the 1950s before taking her career to the next step at Rorstrand in 1960. Her art is represented in a number of museums in France, Sweden and Finland. 

This viviacious work of Swedish Modernist design is the 'Igelkott' ('Hedgehog') vase that comes from the larger 'Chamott' (Chamotte) series designed between 1936 to 1948. The series was designed by the celebrated Swedish ceramicist and designer Gunnar Nylund (b.1904 - d.1997) for Rörstrand.

The vases were made in 5 colours (Emerald, Topaz, (Mustard), Turquoise, White, and Yellow) with 3 different forms to the vases. This Topaz piece comes from the 'Al' form and is the medium size of the 3 available sizes at 16 cm in height (small 12cm, medium 16cm, large 21cm). Nylund became well known for his Chamotte sculptures, designing the series during his time as artistic director at Rörstrand.

Handworked, the rugged yet polished décor makes this an exceptionally tactile piece and the highly textured surface with the glossily glazed décor is a fabulous juxtaposition. Stylistically timeless and contemporary, this work is an outstanding example of Scandinavian mid-century Modern design. 

CONDITION
Very Good. There is light use wear to the underside of the base and the glaze décor that is commensurable with the age of the piece. The underside is stamp-inscribed with "Rorstrand, Sverige, Chamotte, Nylund". 

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 6.3" / 16 cm (from base to rim). Width: c. 4.9" / 12.5 cm (across widest point). Rim diameter: c. 2" / 5 cm. Base diameter: c. 2.4" / 6.2 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 1.4 kg / 1,350 g

A BIT OF HISTORY
Gunnar Nylund (b. 1904 – d.1997) Nylund was a Swedish ceramic designer since the 1930s and is perhaps best known as the artistic director of Rörstrand and was already a well-established ceramic artist in Denmark - first at the Bing & Grøndahl Porcelain factory in Copenhagen and later at Saxbo.

Nylund was resident at Rörstrand from 1931–1955 and for the majority of this time, as artistic director. He became well known for his new matte feldspar glazed stoneware in hare’s fur and crystal glazes and for his stoneware animal sculptures. Over five decades, Nylund crafted some 30 reliefs and sculptures commissioned for public spaces, including Europe’s largest stoneware fountain the “Scanisarius” in Bromölla, Sweden.

Most of Nylund’s original sculptures in stoneware chamotte ended up in museums, as did much of his other work. Sculptures such as the “Lion Head” is found at the National Museum in Stockholm, “Blue Bird” is at the Sèvres museum in Paris, his antelope head “Abyssinian mountain nyala”, is at the Röhsska museet in Gothenburg and the “Hamadryas Baboon” is at the Malmö Museum.

His piece “Bulls head in oxblood” was bought by the Ateneum museum in Helsinki. And a lot of his other work can be found at other museums around the world.

This delicious handblown work of Post Modern art glass is by leading Swedish glass artist Kjell Engman (b. 1946 -), accoladed with the name 'Glass Wizard' for his unlimited imagination with art glass.

This piece is from the popular series named Bon Bon, designed by Engman in 1989. It's easy to see why this series was named Bon Bon, with the candy-coloured pieces ranging from pairing Lavender lilac with Lemon yellow to Marmalade orange with Sky blue.

The central part of this particular piece is spheroid shaped, beautifully curved, and toned in a Candied Sapphire blue. Fused into the spheroid is the pitcher stem in striped tones of Coquelicot and Coral orange, the mergng between the two colours is finished with light sand texture. This work is further accented with an organically shaped Lemon yellow handle and finished with a disc of clear glass for the base.

The overall composition of this work is of great harmony, demonstrated in the stunning blending of colour with form and size, makes this a statement piece.

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, K Engman, 89066'

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 14" / 36 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 8.1" / 20.5 cm in width (across widest point). Depth: c. 3.7" / 9.5 cm. Rim: c. 2.3" / 5.8 cm. Base: c. 3.9" / 10 cm. Unpackaged weight: 1.9 kg / 1,880 g

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

A BIT OF HISTORY
Kjell Engman (b. 1946 -), accoladed with the name 'Glass Wizard' for his 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 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.