A rare 1970s PLUS Norway white cased glass vase, designed by Benny Motzfeldt

Description

A quirky vase that delivers more the more you look at it. White isn't a common colour for glass, especially during the 1970s. Here, a gather of barely translucent white glass was gathered and cased in colourless glass. Abstract sprays of long, flat and thin filaments of metal were then applied to the corners before it was thickly cased in colourless glass and hand-formed into a rectangular shape. The final layer of glass trapped tiny airbubbles onto the metal filaments, which also reacted with the heat to fragment and take on a hairy, matte appearance under very close inspection. Fascinating!

The incorporation of metal within a glass body is unusual, and was also notably used by Pavel Hlava in Czechoslovakia. Both Hlava and Motzfeldt were arguably echoing the new studio glass techniques of the mid-1960s, a fact that is backed up by the number of highly sought-after unique studio pieces that Motzfeld produced. Of course, by virtue of how it's made, this one is unique too although it's from a rare range of forms with the same colour and patterning.

Signed on the base with an acid-etched 'PLUS BM NORWAY' mark.

14.6cm high, 10cm across from flat side to flat side, 12.7cm diagonally.

Benny Anette Motzfeldt (1909-95) is recognised as perhaps the most important Norwegian glass designer. After being educated at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry from 1931, she started her career at Hadeland Glassworks, where she worked from 1955-67. In 1967, she moved on to Randsfjord, before becoming chief artistic designer at PLUS from 1970-79. PLUS was a not-for-profit design centre where designers worked in many materials including glass, wickerwork, metalware and wood.

Today, Motzfeldt is recognised internationally as a leading Scandinavian mid-century modern glass designer, and her work is in the collections of the National Museum of Art, Architecture & Design in Oslo, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Frauenau Glass Museum in Germany, and the National Museum in Stockholm.

Condition
Excellent original vintage condition. Undamaged, with small scratches and patches of wear to the base as would be expected from a much-loved decorative piece around five decades old.

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.