A 1980s Norman Stuart Clarke studio glass ‘Peacock Feather’ vase

Description

This larger than normal studio glass vase is an excellent example of Norman Stuart Clarke's work in terms of the iridescent surface, the entirely hot-worked design, and the reference to Art Nouveau art glass by the likes of Louis Comfort Tiffany. The colourless body is coloured with delicate pink with yellow tinges in places. Fine canes were then applied, melted in and combed to create a fine feathery pattern. Four rich burgundy red spots with blue yellow and green rings were applied to form the 'eyes' of the peacock feathers. Finally, the piece was lightly fumed in stannous oxide to give an iridescent sheen. This choice of colouration and iridescence allows the glass to appear differently in changing light conditions, offering great optical and visual interest.

The base is signed twice around the base by the artist in diamond point, 'NS Clarke' and 'Norman S. Clarke', but is undated. This is not uncommon for his earlier work.

Height: 12cm
Diameter: 13cm

Norman Stuart Clarke (b.1944) is one of the UK's leading living glass artists. He pursued a career as an artist from an early age, and gained a BA (Hons) degree in Glass and Ceramics at Middlesex Polytechnic in 1976. After studying with Peter Layton, he founded his first studio in Cornwall in the early 1980s, further developing his own iridisation process. He moved to a second studio in Cornwall in the 1990s and also taught glassmaking to many students. Following a move to France in 2004, and then to Romania, he now lives and works in Cornwall once again. His skilled, painterly approach to glass is admired by Sir Elton John, Queen Elizabeth II and many others who have his work in their collections.

Condition
Excellent vintage condition with no chips or cracks. Please note that the indentation in the middle of the ground base is not damage, it is the remains of the mark left when the finished piece was removed from the pontil rod.

Shipping
Postage and packing is free within the UK. If you live outside the UK, please contact me to obtain a shipping quote. I pack and ship at cost, and do not make any money from this service. Items are sent via Royal Mail signed and tracked services, but I am happy to use another service at your request.