Dale Chihuly Large 15” Purple Seaform with Turquoise Lip Wrap Hand Blown Glass

Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Purple Seaform with Turquoise Lip Wrap
Medium: Hand Blown Glass
Dimensions: 6.5" high x 15" x 11"
Year: C. 1980-1990
Documentation: Includes gallery certificate of authenticity and a certified third party appraisal from Foss Appraisal Service

Dale Chihuly's "Purple Seaform with Turquoise Lip Wrap" is a stunning example of the artist's ability to meld fluidity and form in glass art. Measuring 15 inches across, this handblown piece captivates with its dynamic interplay of colors and textures, echoing the natural beauty of marine life.

The body of the Seaform features a mesmerizing purple hue, with delicate horizontal "body wrap" bands creating a sense of movement and depth. The body wraps ripple across the surface, reminiscent of the gentle undulations of underwater currents. The scalloped edges further enhance the organic feel, as if the piece were a living, breathing entity from the ocean depths.

A striking turquoise lip wrap encircles the rim, providing a vibrant contrast to the purple body. This turquoise accent not only defines the edges but also adds a touch of brightness that draws the viewer's eye, emphasizing the intricate craftsmanship involved in its creation.

Chihuly's Seaforms series is renowned for its exploration of organic shapes and vibrant colors, and this piece is a perfect embodiment of that ethos. The artist's technique of handblowing allows for a degree of spontaneity and uniqueness in each creation, ensuring that no two pieces are exactly alike. This individualism is evident in the "Purple Seaform with Turquoise Lip Wrap", where the natural variations in form and color highlight Chihuly's mastery over his medium.

While unsigned, Dale Chihuly's Purple Seaform with Turquoise Lip Wrap comes with a certifcate of authenticity from our gallery, Modern Artifact, as well as a certified third party appraisal from Foss Appraisal Service.

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.