Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Teal Blue Seaform Persian Basket
Medium: Hand Blown Glass
Size: 8" x 8" x 8"
Year: 1997
Inscription: Inscribed on bottom "Chihuly PP07"
Condition: Very good condition overall
Documentation: Includes gallery certificate of authenticity
Blending hallmark elements from three of Dale Chihuly's most celebrated series, Teal Blue Seaform Persian Basket (1997) is a striking example of the artist's inventive approach to form, color, and technique in contemporary glass. Hand-blown in vibrant teal blue, this sculptural work evokes the natural rhythms of the sea through fluid, organic lines characteristic of Chihuly's Seaforms series. Delicate black ribbing and the elegantly ruffled lip reflect the ornate styling found in his Persians, while the clean, rounded shape nods to the understated elegance of his iconic Baskets.
Measuring 8 inches in every dimension, the work is both compact and visually expansive. The layered hues—primarily blue and green with subtle accents of white and yellow—create a glowing ombré effect, capturing and refracting light with remarkable depth. The result is a dynamic composition that feels both modern and timeless, drawing the eye from every angle.
Inscribed on the underside with "Chihuly PP07", this piece was created as part of the Portland Press edition and remains in very good condition. It is accompanied by a gallery certificate of authenticity. With its seamless fusion of series and sensibilities, Teal Blue Seaform Persian Basket stands as a luminous tribute to Chihuly's enduring innovation in the art of glass.
About Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly is a pioneering American glass artist whose work has revolutionized the world of contemporary art. Known for his innovative use of color, form, and scale, Chihuly has brought glassblowing into the realm of fine art with a vision that is both monumental and deeply personal. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he has created immersive installations and iconic series that have captivated audiences around the globe.
Born in Tacoma, Washington, in 1941, Chihuly was introduced to the arts through his mother, who nurtured his creativity from a young age. After studying interior design at the University of Washington, he developed an interest in glass while experimenting with melting and fusing materials. This passion led him to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he became the first American to study glassblowing under Harvey Littleton, a key figure in the American Studio Glass movement. Chihuly continued his studies at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), eventually joining the faculty and founding the school's glass program.
Chihuly's early career was marked by exploration and collaboration. In 1968, he received a Fulbright Fellowship to work at the renowned Venini glass factory in Murano, Italy. There, he absorbed traditional Venetian techniques, which would later influence his approach to teamwork and craftsmanship. Rather than creating glass alone—a standard in the field—Chihuly began working with teams of skilled assistants, enabling him to execute increasingly complex and ambitious works.
Despite losing vision in his left eye in a 1976 car accident and sustaining a shoulder injury in 1979 that prevented him from blowing glass himself, Chihuly continued to lead his studio as a visionary designer. These setbacks prompted him to embrace a more collaborative model, where he directed the creation of works rather than crafting them personally. This shift allowed Chihuly to focus on larger-scale installations and more experimental forms.
His most iconic series include Baskets, Seaforms, Persians, Macchia, and Chandeliers. Each series demonstrates his signature style—fluid lines, vivid colors, and organic shapes inspired by nature, landscapes, and indigenous art forms. Perhaps most celebrated are his large-scale installations, such as those seen in the Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem exhibition or permanent installations at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle.
Chihuly's work blurs the lines between art and design, structure and spontaneity. His installations often fill entire rooms or gardens, transforming spaces into dreamlike environments where glass seems to float, shimmer, and breathe. His use of light and transparency brings an ethereal quality to the medium, and his mastery of color—often layering up to 300 hues in a single piece—has become a hallmark of his style.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Chihuly has been instrumental in elevating glass as a respected medium in contemporary art. He has received numerous awards and honorary degrees, and his work has been exhibited in more than 200 museums and galleries worldwide. His commitment to public art and education continues to inspire new generations of artists.
Dale Chihuly remains a towering figure in the art world, not only for his extraordinary creations but for redefining the possibilities of glass. His work invites viewers into a world of wonder and movement, where boundaries dissolve and beauty takes bold, unexpected form.