Dale Chihuly Large 30” 1990 Iridescent Green Venetian Vase Hand Blown Glass

Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Iridescent Green Venetian Vase
Medium: Hand Blown Glass
Size: 30"H x 10.25"W x 9"D
Inscription: Signed and dated "Chihuly 1990"
Year: 1990
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity

Dale Chihuly's 1990 Iridescent Green Venetian Vase is a historically significant addition to his innovative and breathtaking Venetian series. Measuring 30 inches high, 10.25 inches wide, and 9 inches deep, this piece features a green fumed body adorned with multicolored details that create a mesmerizing visual effect. The vase's free-form design is accentuated by clear glass leaves that wrap gracefully around its body.

The Venetians series, to which this vase belongs, represents an intriguing blend of classical elegance and unrestrained creativity. Inspired by Italian glass from the Art Deco period, Chihuly collaborated with the renowned Italian maestro glassblower Lino Tagliapietra to push the boundaries of traditional glassmaking. This collaboration allowed Chihuly to infuse classical vessel forms with wildly flamboyant attachments such as snaky handles, leaves, and twisted coils and ribbons.

Chihuly's process involved creating initial sketches using watercolor and graphite to outline classical forms, often incorporating several handles. As he transitioned to charcoal, his drawings became bolder, leading to more extreme and imaginative creations. Handles transformed into intricate knots, decorative prunts evolved into claws, colors intensified from subtle to vibrant, and forms shifted from symmetrical to asymmetrical.

The Venetian Vase embodies this creative evolution, showcasing the harmonious marriage of disciplined technique and spontaneous artistry. It is a striking example of how Chihuly redefined traditional glassmaking, resulting in a piece that is both timeless and avant-garde.

Dale Chihuly's 1990 Iridescent Green Venetian Vase is signed and dated by the artist and includes a gallery certificate of authenticity.

About Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly is a luminary in contemporary glass artistry, celebrated for his monumental sculptures and awe-inspiring installations that captivate audiences worldwide. His name is synonymous with iconic creations such as the breathtaking ceiling at the Bellagio's flower garden in Las Vegas and the magnificent Rotunda Chandelier at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Revered by collectors and decorative arts enthusiasts alike, Chihuly's glass works are coveted treasures, prized for their unparalleled beauty and craftsmanship.

Despite an initial disinterest in formal education, Chihuly's journey led him to prestigious graduate schools, where he pursued both scientific and artistic degrees in sculpture. While he showed early talent in interior design and craftsmanship, his heart was always drawn to the mesmerizing allure of glass. As a Fulbright Fellow in the late 1960s and later as an apprentice at the Venini Glass Factory in Venice, Chihuly immersed himself in the ancient art of Murano glasswork, honing his skills and pushing the boundaries of traditional glassblowing techniques.

Chihuly's artistic repertoire spans a diverse array of series, each showcasing his boundless creativity and technical mastery. From the iconic Cylinders and Baskets of the 1970s to the vibrant Macchia, Venetians, and Persians of the 1980s, his oeuvre is a testament to his enduring innovation and artistic evolution. The Niijima Floats and Chandeliers of the 1990s and the more recent Fiori series from the 2000s further cement his status as a visionary in the world of glass art.

For over three decades, Chihuly has served as the artistic director of his team of craftsmen, a role necessitated by two life-altering accidents that left him blind in one eye and unable to manipulate the blowing tube. Despite these challenges, Chihuly's visionary leadership has propelled his studio to new heights, allowing him to explore the boundless possibilities of glass on a grand scale while preserving his distinctive aesthetic.

With his work showcased in over 200 prestigious decorative art collections and the recipient of twelve honorary doctorates, Dale Chihuly's legacy as a trailblazer in the world of glass artistry is firmly established. His enduring contributions continue to inspire awe and admiration, ensuring his place among the pantheon of artistic visionaries.