Bertil Vallien Abstract Atelier Flask c1970s
Bertil Vallien is one of Sweden’s foremost contemporary glass artists known for his uncanny, ethereal sandcasted glass sculptures and functional pieces. His works are mystical representational forms often featuring haunting faces or figures. Vallien uses an industrial process originally intended for metalworking, melding material with process in complex ways that reflect the roots of Modernism. Vallien studied drawing early in his life before pursuing an interest in ceramics and later glass. Vallien became one of Kosta Boda’s leading glass designers and his work continues to gain international critical acclaim. Vallien continues to exhibit internationally while also lecturing in the US and Japan.
This abstract bottle / vessel features Vallien’s signature face motif - a hat-wearing face passes through from within the bottle, and reaches through to the outside world with amber-coloured glass hands. Vallien hard-cast his faces and other ‘passing through’ objects out of rigidised sand. A large colourful protrusion emerges from one of the asymmetrical shoulders, and various abstract inclusions float around the vessel. There are other decorative motifs in relief on the back, Vallien made this object in the 1970s as part of his Atelje (atelier) collection - which set it apart from more functional production pieces by Kosta. Each piece from his Atelier collection is handcrafted, unique, and numbered.
This vessel is in excellent condition and is inscribed (to the best we can determine) on the base Kosta Boda B. Vallien Atelje 7092 870209.
Bertil Vallien is one of Sweden’s foremost contemporary glass artists known for his uncanny, ethereal sandcasted glass sculptures and functional pieces. His works are mystical representational forms often featuring haunting faces or figures. Vallien uses an industrial process originally intended for metalworking, melding material with process in complex ways that reflect the roots of Modernism. Vallien studied drawing early in his life before pursuing an interest in ceramics and later glass. Vallien became one of Kosta Boda’s leading glass designers and his work continues to gain international critical acclaim. Vallien continues to exhibit internationally while also lecturing in the US and Japan.
This abstract bottle / vessel features Vallien’s signature face motif - a hat-wearing face passes through from within the bottle, and reaches through to the outside world with amber-coloured glass hands. Vallien hard-cast his faces and other ‘passing through’ objects out of rigidised sand. A large colourful protrusion emerges from one of the asymmetrical shoulders, and various abstract inclusions float around the vessel. There are other decorative motifs in relief on the back, Vallien made this object in the 1970s as part of his Atelje (atelier) collection - which set it apart from more functional production pieces by Kosta. Each piece from his Atelier collection is handcrafted, unique, and numbered.
This vessel is in excellent condition and is inscribed (to the best we can determine) on the base Kosta Boda B. Vallien Atelje 7092 870209.
Bertil Vallien is one of Sweden’s foremost contemporary glass artists known for his uncanny, ethereal sandcasted glass sculptures and functional pieces. His works are mystical representational forms often featuring haunting faces or figures. Vallien uses an industrial process originally intended for metalworking, melding material with process in complex ways that reflect the roots of Modernism. Vallien studied drawing early in his life before pursuing an interest in ceramics and later glass. Vallien became one of Kosta Boda’s leading glass designers and his work continues to gain international critical acclaim. Vallien continues to exhibit internationally while also lecturing in the US and Japan.
This abstract bottle / vessel features Vallien’s signature face motif - a hat-wearing face passes through from within the bottle, and reaches through to the outside world with amber-coloured glass hands. Vallien hard-cast his faces and other ‘passing through’ objects out of rigidised sand. A large colourful protrusion emerges from one of the asymmetrical shoulders, and various abstract inclusions float around the vessel. There are other decorative motifs in relief on the back, Vallien made this object in the 1970s as part of his Atelje (atelier) collection - which set it apart from more functional production pieces by Kosta. Each piece from his Atelier collection is handcrafted, unique, and numbered.
This vessel is in excellent condition and is inscribed (to the best we can determine) on the base Kosta Boda B. Vallien Atelje 7092 870209.
Bertil Vallien Atelier Flask c1970s
Sandblasted, individually made glass sculptural flask
Coloured extrusions, inclusions and cast-moulded head and hands
Excellent vintage condition
27cm high, 13cm wide (14 widest point), 7cm deep
Signed and numbered
Origin: Sweden
