THE ITEM
Presenting an awe-inspiring glass art sculpture by the infamous Bertil Vallien, the genius Swedish glass artist, sculptor, ceramist and designer.
This work of art carries with it Modernist as well as contemporary design influences and has almost too many aspects and detail for admiration that can be described in brief.
Typical to Vallien's trademark characteristics of his sand-casting work, the sculpture is filled with symbolism - there's the single controlled elongated bubble that is suspended exactly in the centre of one end of the boat. A figure, cut from copper is adorned with a symbolic head-dress, the head-dress is decorated with tulips(?) and leaves(?) and is suspended in the centre of the boat - both central in boat's length as well as width and height.
The external edge of the boat is of glass coloured in tones of red-copper, bronze-copper, copper, cobalt blue and turquoise, with the 'wood grain' of the vessel being delineated in black. The piece is finished by bringing all elements together and casing all in clear glass. Even with the coloured glass on the external surface, the piece remains translucent and with minimal light, there is a beautiful glow and myriad of colours from the refractions.
Sadly this piece, does have 2 small chips, hence the price. The most significant chip measures: 4mm x 4mm and can be seen on photograph 10 / last photograph of this listing. The other chip is less than 1mm x 1mm and is on the tip of the bronze/copper end of the sculpture - please do see photos as part of condition report.
To see Vallien in action, albeit working on a million dollar version of a boat sculpture, please see the following links:
"One Million Dollar Boat - Passage by Bertil Vallien at Kosta Boda" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YFnW9UBOzg
"Bertil Vallien Timelapse" [B Vallien - Sandcasting in action]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjW7qoLvwYw
CONDITION
Very good, there are 2 chips - the most significant chip measures: 4mm x 4mm and can be seen on photograph 10 / last photograph of this listing, the other chip is less than 1mm x 1mm and is on the tip of the bronze end of the sculpture - please do see photos as part of condition report.
Fully signed 'Kosta Boda B Vallien 005821-95'. The Kosta Boda clear sticker is also present on the side of the sculpture at the bronzed end.
MEASUREMENTS
Length c. 6.9" / 17.5 cm x c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm in width x c. 1.6" / 4 cm in height
Unpackaged weight: c. 0.4 kg / 405 g
NOTES
Sculpture will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Born 1938, Bertil Vallien was only fifteen when he left home, drawn by the allure of the big city. After a series of occasional jobs, as a window-dresser at one of the main department stores in Stockholm, and as an apprentice in his father's decorating firm, Bertil decided to become an artist.
His career includes the guidance of Stig Lindberg - one of Sweden's foremost designers of ceramic art and was one of the leading designers for Rörstrand in the 1970's.
Today, Vallien is one of the most well-known representatives of the illustrious Swedish ceramic design of the 20th century as well as art glass design and is represented at the Swedish National Museum of Art and Design. His pieces have only become more collectable over the years with sculptures from his Head and Journey (Boat)series fetching up to $20,000. Find out more at: http://www.bertilvallien.nu/startsidan.html