Dale Chihuly 6 Piece Ivory Mist 2003 Signed Handblown Glass Basket Set

Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Six Piece Ivory Mist Basket Set with Black Lip Wraps
Medium: Hand Blown Glass
Size:
 - Largest element measures 11.5" high (depending on angle at rest) x 29" wide x 22.5"
 - Smallest element measures 3.625" high x 4.25" diameter
Year: 2003
Inscription: Signed and dated to smallest element "Chihuly 03"
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity

Dale Chihuly's "Six Piece Ivory Mist Basket Set with Black Lip Wraps" (2003) demonstrates the artist's sustained exploration of asymmetrical form, translucency, and the expressive possibilities of handblown glass. Comprising six individually formed elements, the work belongs to Chihuly's Basket series, in which loosely constructed, organic shapes replace conventional symmetry and emphasize the fluidity of the glass medium. The elements overlap and nest within one another, creating a layered composition in which individual forms remain visually distinct while contributing to the structure of the whole.

The translucent ivory glass allows light to pass through the surfaces, producing subtle variations in density and color. Fine black lip wraps trace the openings of the forms, providing a linear counterpoint to the softly curved silhouettes and emphasizing their irregular contours. These dark accents also establish visual connections among the separate elements, creating continuity across the composition.

The arrangement reflects Chihuly's interest in the effects of gravity and heat on molten glass. Rather than concealing the material's inherent fluidity, the forms preserve a sense of movement and transformation, with broad, undulating profiles that suggest natural structures while remaining distinctly abstract. The combination of repetition, variation, transparency, and asymmetry encourages the viewer to consider the relationship between individual elements and the larger sculptural arrangement.

The largest element measures approximately 11.5 inches high, 29 inches wide, and 22.5 inches deep, while the smallest measures 3.625 inches high by 4.25 inches in diameter. The smallest element is signed and dated "Chihuly 03". The work is accompanied by a Gallery Certificate of Authenticity.

About Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly (born 1941) is an American artist best known for his innovative use of glass and his influential role in the development of the studio glass movement in the United States. Born in Tacoma, Washington, Chihuly initially studied interior design at the University of Washington before pursuing graduate studies in glass at the University of Wisconsin and the Rhode Island School of Design, where he earned an MFA in 1968.

Chihuly's multidisciplinary practice encompasses handblown glass, drawing, painting, and large-scale installations. His work is characterized by saturated color, organic forms, transparency, and an emphasis on the interaction between glass, light, and surrounding space. Major bodies of work include Baskets, Seaforms, Macchia, Cylinders, Venetians, Persians, and Chandeliers, each exploring different combinations of color, structure, and the physical properties of glass.

In 1968, Chihuly received a Fulbright Fellowship to study glassmaking in Venice, where he worked at the Venini glass studio on Murano. After returning to the United States, he established the glass program at the Rhode Island School of Design and later co-founded Pilchuck Glass School in Washington in 1971. Pilchuck became an important center for glass education and experimentation.

Chihuly's work has been exhibited internationally and is represented in museum collections around the world. His monumental installations have been displayed in museums, galleries, gardens, and architectural settings, contributing to the recognition of glass as a significant medium in contemporary art.