Currently held on consignment at Andrews Oakville
This exquisite work of Modern art glass is attributed to be by Stanslav Libensky (b. 1921 - d. 2002). The sculpted handblown form is sleek as it is stylised, taking the form of an abstract tear shape, the piece also presents two facets, or 'faces' which magnify the intricate glass spirals suspended in the centre.
The interior decor is composed of Libensky's characteristic palette with Aubergine and Mandarin. The core of the vase is a suspended channel of Aubergine that is wrapped in a spiralled net of Mandarin and overlaid onto this complex pattern is a further spiralling of Aubergine. It does not take much to imagine and appreciate the level of technical skill to create this effect with molten glass that would typically be in temperatures of c. 2400 F / 1300 C.
The stylised form, eye-catching decor pattern, and excellent condition of this piece make it a rare find that can be displayed as a standalone piece.
CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks, or repairs. Most notable wear are the movement marks on the underside of the base that are commensurable with the age of the piece. Please refer to photographs as they form part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 11.3" / 28.7 cm x c. 6.9" / 17.5 cm width (across widest point). Depth: c. 3" / c. 7.5 cm. Base measurements: c. 2" / 5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 3.4 kg / 3,375 g
A BIT OF HISTORY
Stanislav Libensky (b.1921-d.2002) and his wife Jaroslava Brychtova are two of the most influential Czech glass artists of the 20th century who produced some of the greatest cast glass and architectural glass works of art.
Libensky began his career aged 16 in the 1930s, studying glass-making at Novy Bor and Zelezny Brod specialised Schools of Glassmaking. He went on to study in Prague during WWII under Professor Jaroslav Holecek before returning to Novy Bor as a teacher. In the 10 years between 1945 and 54), he also worked as a designer for other regional glassworks. At the end of the 1940s, Libensky attended the Prague Academy of Applied Arts in glassmaking under Professor Josef Kaplicky.
He became Director of the School of Glassmaking in Zelezny Brod, and it was here that he met his wife Jaroslava Brychtova and they began their dramatically creative work together. In 1963 Libensky took over the Chair of Glassmaking from Kaplicky at the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague, a post which he held until 1987.
In 1984, three years before his University retirement age, Stanislav Libensky and Jaroslava Brychtova set up their own glass studio at Zelezny Brod and later in Prague. Together they have undertaken architectural commissions around the world, received numerous international awards, taught at summer schools in Pilchuk (US), and contributed to prestigious conferences and courses in several countries.