Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Cinnabar and Coral Persian 5 Piece Set with Black Lip Wraps
Medium: Hand Blown Glass
Size: Largest element measures 7.25" high x 21.5" x 18"
Year: 1998
Inscription: Etched "Chihuly 98" on smallest element
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
Dale Chihuly's Cinnabar and Coral Persian Set with Black Lip Wraps (1998) is a commanding example from the artist's celebrated Persian series, known for its bold forms, radiant colors, and complex, multi-element compositions. Measuring over 21 inches at its widest point, this set demonstrates Chihuly's ability to transform hand-blown glass into an expansive, sculptural environment.
The Persians emerged in the mid-1980s and quickly became one of Chihuly's most visually daring series. Characterized by exotic, undulating forms and dramatic color palettes, the works often consist of multiple elements layered together to form dynamic, three-dimensional arrangements. This 1998 example embodies that ambition, featuring numerous components that interplay to create a sense of rhythmic movement and balance.
Color is central to the impact of the set. Vivid shades of cinnabar red, fiery orange, and marigold yellow dominate the composition, recalling both natural and elemental energy. These brilliant hues are defined and contained by bold black lip wraps, which not only frame each form but also create striking visual contrast. The result is a dialogue between color and contour that heightens the sculpture's graphic power.
Equally important is the scale. With its largest element extending over 21 inches, the work asserts itself as both an object of intricate craftsmanship and a monumental visual statement. The layering of forms suggests organic growth and fluidity, inviting the viewer to experience the work from multiple perspectives.
The etched signature "Chihuly 98" on the smallest element authenticates the work and situates it within a pivotal period in the artist's career, when his large-scale installations and complex sets were gaining international acclaim. Accompanied by a gallery certificate of authenticity, Cinnabar and Coral Persian Set with Black Lip Wraps exemplifies Chihuly's mastery of glass as a medium capable of both intimacy and grandeur.
About Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly (b. 1941) is an American artist internationally recognized for his pioneering work in glass and for expanding the possibilities of the medium as a form of contemporary art. Over the course of a career spanning more than five decades, Chihuly has developed an innovative approach to glassmaking that emphasizes teamwork, large-scale installations, and bold use of color and form. His art occupies a distinctive place at the intersection of craft, design, and fine art, and his projects have been exhibited in museums, gardens, and public spaces around the world.
Chihuly was born in Tacoma, Washington, and studied interior design at the University of Washington, where he first began experimenting with glass. After earning a Master of Science degree in glass from the University of Wisconsin–Madison under Harvey Littleton, a key figure in the American Studio Glass movement, he continued his studies at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he later became a faculty member. A Fulbright Fellowship allowed him to work at the Venini glass factory in Murano, Italy, where he gained exposure to traditional Venetian glassblowing techniques that would inform his later practice.
In 1971, Chihuly co-founded the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, which became an important hub for glass artists internationally. His work at Pilchuck emphasized collaboration and experimentation, values that shaped his approach to glassmaking. Following an accident in 1976 that left him blind in one eye, and a subsequent injury that limited the use of his shoulder, Chihuly transitioned away from directly blowing glass to working with teams of assistants. This shift allowed him to pursue increasingly ambitious projects, with a focus on designing and directing large-scale compositions.
Chihuly's series-based approach is central to his practice. Among his most recognized bodies of work are the Cylinders and Baskets of the 1970s, the Seaforms and Macchia of the 1980s, and later the monumental Chandeliers, Persians, and Ikebana. These series demonstrate his interest in both organic and architectural forms, often exploring how glass interacts with light, space, and environment. His installations frequently incorporate hundreds of individual glass elements arranged into immersive displays, transforming the viewer's perception of scale and material.
Major exhibitions have played a significant role in establishing Chihuly's reputation. His work has been presented at institutions such as the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery, the de Young Museum in San Francisco, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. In 1995, his project Chihuly Over Venice involved glass installations created in collaboration with glassmakers from around the world, suspended over the canals and piazzas of Venice. Another landmark exhibition, Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem 2000, drew more than one million visitors to outdoor installations in Israel. In the United States, Chihuly in the Garden exhibitions have been hosted at botanical gardens including those in Phoenix, Atlanta, and New York, emphasizing the dialogue between natural and artistic forms.
Chihuly's work is also permanently represented in numerous collections and sites. Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, which opened in 2012, offers a comprehensive view of his career and serves as a major destination for both scholars and the public. Other significant permanent installations can be found at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Throughout his career, Chihuly has received widespread recognition for his contributions to contemporary art and design. He has been awarded honorary doctorates, fellowships, and accolades from institutions worldwide. His influence extends beyond glass into broader conversations about the role of scale, environment, and collaboration in art.
Dale Chihuly's legacy lies in his transformation of glass from a studio craft into a medium for monumental artistic expression. By reimagining the possibilities of glass through color, form, and environment, he has reshaped how audiences and institutions engage with the medium, ensuring his position as one of the most significant American artists of his generation.
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