Dale Chihuly Super Rare Massive 1979 Navajo Blanket Cylinder Signed
Description
Artist: Dale Chihuly - Ivory Navajo Blanket Cylinder Studio
Medium: Blown glass vase
Year: 1979
Signature: Engraved signature and date at the bottom
Size: Approx. 6"
Condition: Mint condition. No chips, cracks or repairs. Includes Protective Display Case
It’s not a widely known fact that Dale Chihuly, the most famous glass artist in the world today, began his artistic career as a weaver. A passionate collector of “Indian trade blankets” produced by Pendleton Mill, the artist dedicated his first series in glass to the Navajo textiles. First developed in 1975, Cylinders represented the unification of Chihuly’s love for textile and his fascination with glassblowing. This group of glass vessels remains one of the most diverse and experimental series the artist keeps revisiting throughout his career.
The Ivory Navajo Blanket Cylinder from 1979 is an extremely rare piece, entirely created by Chihuly’s hand. Although it dates to the period after the accident which left him blind in his left eye, it was made before the body surfing misadventure that permanently damaged the artist’s shoulder leaving him in no position to blow glass by himself. Consistent with his early glass works, the Ivory Navajo Blanket Cylinder does not explore the full palette yet. Instead, it studies the expressive power of the translucent and milky ivory nuances, enriched with multi-colored trailing and a black rim. The toned-down palette provides additional elegance to the simple, harmonious form, making this piece a unique gem within the oeuvre of Dale Chihuly.
The Ivory Navajo Blanket Cylinder is a museum quality piece and a highly collectible item. Alike works have been sold in different auctions in the past decade, often reaching prices well above the high estimate.
To compare, a similar work from 1976, “Chief Pattern Blanket Vase” was sold by Cowan's Auctions, Inc. on Friday, May 6, 2016, under the lot number 00088, achieving $18,000. Another Navajo Blanket Cylinder from 1976 was sold four years earlier as a lot 04335 for $25,000 by Bonhams New York on Tuesday, June 12, 2012.
An earlier piece, a Navajo Blanket Cylinder from 1975 was offered by New Orleans Auction Galleries on Sunday, July 24, 2016, lot 01092, selling for $22,500. Further, a First Phase Navajo Blanket Cylinder from 1975 was sold by Doyle New York on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, for $23,750, under the number 00382.
A 1977 piece offered by Bonhams New York on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, was sold under the lot number 01049 for $15,600.
A much later Blanket Cylinder from 1984 was offered and auctioned off by Bonhams New York on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, for $27,500 as a lot 03270.
Observing the years of production and the auction price trends, we can detect a constant increase in prices, which testifies to the high value and collectible quality of the early Navajo Blanket Cylinder series by Dale Chihuly.
We provide a singular opportunity to enrich your collection with a true Dale Chihuly rarity!
Medium: Blown glass vase
Year: 1979
Signature: Engraved signature and date at the bottom
Size: Approx. 6"
Condition: Mint condition. No chips, cracks or repairs. Includes Protective Display Case
It’s not a widely known fact that Dale Chihuly, the most famous glass artist in the world today, began his artistic career as a weaver. A passionate collector of “Indian trade blankets” produced by Pendleton Mill, the artist dedicated his first series in glass to the Navajo textiles. First developed in 1975, Cylinders represented the unification of Chihuly’s love for textile and his fascination with glassblowing. This group of glass vessels remains one of the most diverse and experimental series the artist keeps revisiting throughout his career.
The Ivory Navajo Blanket Cylinder from 1979 is an extremely rare piece, entirely created by Chihuly’s hand. Although it dates to the period after the accident which left him blind in his left eye, it was made before the body surfing misadventure that permanently damaged the artist’s shoulder leaving him in no position to blow glass by himself. Consistent with his early glass works, the Ivory Navajo Blanket Cylinder does not explore the full palette yet. Instead, it studies the expressive power of the translucent and milky ivory nuances, enriched with multi-colored trailing and a black rim. The toned-down palette provides additional elegance to the simple, harmonious form, making this piece a unique gem within the oeuvre of Dale Chihuly.
The Ivory Navajo Blanket Cylinder is a museum quality piece and a highly collectible item. Alike works have been sold in different auctions in the past decade, often reaching prices well above the high estimate.
To compare, a similar work from 1976, “Chief Pattern Blanket Vase” was sold by Cowan's Auctions, Inc. on Friday, May 6, 2016, under the lot number 00088, achieving $18,000. Another Navajo Blanket Cylinder from 1976 was sold four years earlier as a lot 04335 for $25,000 by Bonhams New York on Tuesday, June 12, 2012.
An earlier piece, a Navajo Blanket Cylinder from 1975 was offered by New Orleans Auction Galleries on Sunday, July 24, 2016, lot 01092, selling for $22,500. Further, a First Phase Navajo Blanket Cylinder from 1975 was sold by Doyle New York on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, for $23,750, under the number 00382.
A 1977 piece offered by Bonhams New York on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, was sold under the lot number 01049 for $15,600.
A much later Blanket Cylinder from 1984 was offered and auctioned off by Bonhams New York on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, for $27,500 as a lot 03270.
Observing the years of production and the auction price trends, we can detect a constant increase in prices, which testifies to the high value and collectible quality of the early Navajo Blanket Cylinder series by Dale Chihuly.
We provide a singular opportunity to enrich your collection with a true Dale Chihuly rarity!