Swedish crystal tulip vase with square base, 1980s. Exceptional and important Swedish crystal vase with a high percentage of lead oxide. The top has a delicate tulip shape with a richly curved edge while the magnificent base is massive and square. This aesthetically bold contrast fascinates us with its unparalleled plasticity and sophistication. In addition to the perfect, extremely accurate and precise workmanship, the vase has a particular and detailed polishing, obtained with pumice and cerium oxide dissolved in water, which gives the object a very high quality standard. Furthermore, the high lead oxide content gives the crystal exceptional transparency and a high refractive index. Its shape is simple and bold, expertly proportioned, the result of an intelligent aesthetic reflection in pure modern Swedish style. It was produced between 1980 and 1985 in Sweden in an artisan workshop in the province of Smaland; in the region there is an area known for glass production since the 18th century called "glasriket"; from the 1900s to today there have been 13 glassworks and foundries in the area and a large number of small artisan businesses. Initially the glassworks only dealt with the mass production of glass for the domestic market. As competition increased in the late 19th century, some glassmakers began using designers to make special objects, which became successful throughout the 20th century. It was then that the term Glasriket was coined as glassworks from Eastern Småland came to exhibit these modernly designed objects which were mainly sold abroad, unlike the other glassworks in the country which were exclusively engaged in mass production for the domestic market. One of those small and hardworking emerging companies has created this designer vase. In the south of the country today there is the glass route between Kalmar and Vaxjo, a road on which it is possible to meet and visit numerous glass factories, including Kosta Boda; other important and famous Swedish glassworks are Orrefors and Maleras. In general, Swedish crystal is known for its exceptional quality, craftsmanship and artistic beauty, making it highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts around the world. The vase bears a strange mark that represents the stylized shape of a Viking ship, the hull has the classic shape of that type of ship with a dragon's head prow, and on the side of the ship there are four round dots frosted which would represent the shields of Viking soldiers, furthermore above the points there are four lines sloping backwards which would represent the oars of the ship raised, as if the ship was landing; below are represented the waves of the sea and everything is enclosed in a rectangle on the ground drawn with the four corners cut off. It was not possible to trace its origin precisely but it could be a specific brand of one of those small glassware shops mentioned earlier, which used the Viking ship as a distinctive element, or it could be a unique design created for that particular jar. The vase is in good condition, only one corner at the base was chipped and was slightly beveled (see photo).
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SILVER Seller in Prato, Italy
