Tag Archives: glass

Design and Innovation

Eye On Design: Z Chair and Serie Fil Multi-Function Table By François Arnal

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z chair and serie fil table photo by gail worley
All Photos By Gail

François Arnal (1924 – 2012) was a multidisciplinary French artist who was primarily known as a painter and sculptor. In 1968 he set up Atelier A (Workshop A) to publicize the works of furniture designers. I recently popped into art furniture gallery Demisch Denant on  West 12th Street and was thrilled to find that they had two of Arnal’s most iconic peices on display! Let’s take a closer look.

Continue reading Eye On Design: Z Chair and Serie Fil Multi-Function Table By François Arnal →

Arts and Culture

Pink Thing Of The Day: Pink Glass Elephant

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pink glass elephant photo by gail worley
Photo By Gail

I spent an extended Pride Weekend relaxing at a friend’s vacation home  in The Hamptons. Activities mostly involved us floating in the pool, eating, and then taking long walks to work off whatever we had just eaten or were about to eat. We also did some driving to nearby hamlets like East Hampton, West Hampton, and Sag Harbor, which is the location of the gift shop where I found this Pink Glass Elephant. I have no idea of the price, but I can guarantee you it was not cheap.

Arts and Culture

Eye On Design: Engraved Whiskey Decanter Circa 1867

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engraved whiskey decanter photo by gail worley
Photos By Gail

Richly-colored blown glass in the Bohemian taste, ornamented with cutting and engraving, attracted the American public beginning in the mid-nineteenth century. This whiskey decanter (from the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company), in a shape typical of the 1860s and 1870s, is distinguished by its brilliant faceting and detailed depiction of fruit, revealing the skill of the engraver, George Franklin Lapham . As a testament to its quality, Lapham signed and dated the work.

Photographed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

engraved whiskey decanter photo by gail worley

Arts and Culture

Modern Art Monday Presents: Martin Lipofsky, Czech Flowers #6

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czech flowers 6 photo by gail worley
All Photos By Gail

In 1970, Martin Lipofsky started a practice of traveling to glass factories around the world to learn from and collaborate with glass masters. He always sought to infuse the works he made with local culture, primarily through symbolic color.

czech flowers 6 photo by gail worley

Czech Flowers #6 (1991 – 92) is an example of this process. Lipofsky would conceive of the work, choose colors, mold-blow, and hot work the glass while abroad.

czech flowers 6 photo by gail worley

 After he returned home, he would finish the piece (in this case: cut, sandblast and acid polish the glass)  using various coldworking techniques. Czech Flowers #6 was created with help from Josef Rasocha.

Photographed in the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC.

Design and Innovation

Glass Vase With Dolphins

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blue glass vase with dolphins photo by gail worley
Photos By Gail

Symbols of speed and good fortune, Dolphins swim down the sides of this ocean-colored vase (1866–70s) from Salviati & Co. John Ruskin’s Stones of Venice created a wave of enthusiasm for the lost art of cristallo. Published from 1851 to 1853, Ruskin’s book proved a stroke of good luck for Venetians seeking to revive old glassblowing techniques.

blue glass vase with dolphins photo by gail worley
Installation View

Photographed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.