Dale Chihuly Unique 1990 Cobalt Blue Basket with Cadmium Lip Wrap

Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Unique Cobalt Blue Basket with Cadmium Lip Wrap
Medium: Hand Blown Glass
Dimensions: 8.25" x 7" x 7.5"
Inscription: Signed and dated "Chihuly 90" on the underside
Year: 1990
Documentation: Includes gallery certificate of authenticity

Very similar in size, color, and composition to Dale Chihuly's 1994 Portland Press edition, this unique version of his Cobalt Blue Basket with Cadmium Lip Wrap pre-dates the series by 4 years. While the colors used are nearly identical, the ombre color application of the cobalt blue on this unique version is considerably more dramatic in this version, fading to full translucency for the entire bottom half of the basket.

The Cobalt Basket's vibrant color pallet and contrasting color lip wrap are emblematic of Chihuly's modern era glass work. Although Chihuly's Baskets were his first series, the straightforward shape has remained among his most modern compositions. Never afraid to borrow elements and explore new techniques and combinations, the speckled detailing across the body of the basket is reminiscent of his iconic Macchia series.

Measuring 8.25" x 7" x 7.5", Chihuly's unique cobalt blue basket is signed and dated on the bottom "Chihuly 90" and comes with a gallery certificate of authenticity.

About Dale Chihuly

One of the most famous contemporary glass artists in the world, Dale Chihuly is best known for his monumental sculptures and installations. He is the name behind the spectacular ceiling at the Bellagio's flower garden in Las Vegas and the creator of the Rotunda Chandelier at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Glass works of Dale Chihuly are considered some of the most desired collectibles between the decorative arts devotees today.

Despite his initial indifference towards education, Chihuly has spent a lot of time in school, obtaining both scientific and artistic degree in sculpture from prestigious graduate schools. He displayed a proclivity for interior design and craft early on, but his true passion was always in the glass. He was a Fulbright Fellow in the late 1960s and an apprentice at the Venini Glass Factory in Venice. Mastering the art of Murano glasswork, he continued the experiments with glassblowing and thus became one of the people who brought the ancient art of glassblowing back into the spotlight on an international scale.

Monumental and small-scale artwork of Dale Chihuly is present in over 200 most renowned decorative art collections today, while the artist holds twelve honorary doctorates!

The most illustrious series in his work are Cylinders and Baskets he created in the 1970s; Macchia, Venetians, and Persians from the 1980s, Niijima Floats and Chandeliers created in the 1990s; and a more recent one, Fiori from the 2000s.

For over 30 years, Dale Chihuly has been acting as an artistic director of his team of craftsmen, since he was incapacitated in two accidents, which left him blind in one eye and incapable of holding the blowing tube. This change allowed him to see the possibilities of glass work on a broader scale, while still maintaining his recognizable style.