Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Cinnamon Macchia
Medium: Hand Blown Glass Sculpture
Size: 7.25" x 6.75" x 6.5"
Inscription: Signed and marked "PP01" on base
Year: 2001
Documentation: Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
"Cinnamon Macchia" (2001) is part of Dale Chihuly's Macchia series, a body of work that investigates the interplay of color, light, and layered glass. The series is defined by its distinctive multi-layered construction, typically featuring a solid color interior, a layer of translucent or opaque white frit, and an additional layer of colored glass fragments on the exterior. Each piece demonstrates the potential of asymmetry and irregular form, distinguishing it from traditional vessel-making and emphasizing sculptural qualities.
In "Cinnamon Macchia", the exterior displays a speckled pattern of warm and contrasting tones, including shades of yellow, orange, brown, and blue. Intentional variations in transparency and opacity across the layers create a subtle visual complexity. The gently rounded form and slightly irregular opening reflect Chihuly's interest in organic shapes, allowing the color interactions to shift with changes in light and perspective.
The work is signed and marked "PP01" on the base and is accompanied by a gallery certificate of authenticity, confirming its provenance within Chihuly's Portland Press editions. "Cinnamon Macchia" exemplifies the artist's method of collaborative studio production, layering technical precision with artistic exploration to create a visually dynamic glass sculpture.
About Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly (born 1941, Tacoma, Washington) is a pioneering American glass artist whose career has redefined the scope and scale of contemporary glass art. Renowned for his experimentation with color, light, and form, Chihuly has produced vessels, freeform sculptures, and monumental installations that have established him as a leading figure in the studio glass movement. His work demonstrates the potential of glass to function as both an object of craft and a medium for conceptual and spatial exploration.
Chihuly received his undergraduate degree in interior design from the University of Washington in 1965 and an MFA in sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1968. During his early training, he studied under Harvey Littleton, whose advocacy for glass as a studio medium influenced Chihuly's career. A Fulbright Fellowship in Murano, Italy, allowed him to study Venetian glassblowing techniques and inspired his collaborative studio model, in which teams of artisans assist in executing complex forms and installations.
In 1971, Chihuly co-founded the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, fostering innovation in glass techniques and cultivating a generation of artists. His work spans multiple series, including Seaforms, Persians, and Macchia, in which surface patterning, frit application, and layering of color create dynamic visual effects. Chihuly's large-scale installations, such as chandeliers, ceiling sculptures, and site-specific commissions, extend these explorations into architectural space, integrating glass with light and environment.
Chihuly's work is represented in major collections worldwide, including the Corning Museum of Glass, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the de Young Museum, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. His approach combines technical mastery, innovation, and collaboration, emphasizing both aesthetic and structural possibilities of glass.
Through decades of experimentation, education, and production, Dale Chihuly has expanded the definition of contemporary glass art. His contributions continue to influence the field, bridging the boundaries between craft, fine art, and public installation, and establishing glass as a medium of lasting significance.
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