Pavel Hlava Czech Art Glass Gourd Vase c1970

Description

Heading : Pavel Hlava gourd vase
Date : c1970
Origin : Czechoslovakia
Bowl Features : Of gourd form in amber glass. which graduates to green at the top. a band of metal inclusions to the centre.
Marks : Signed P. Hlava Czechoslovakia to the base along with the PH monogram
Type : Lead
Size : 27.1cm height. 21cm diameter
Condition :Excellent. no chips or crack
Restoration : None
Weight : 3808 grams

Additional Information :

During the early 1960s, Pavel Hlava collaborated with Dr Jaromír Spacek. head of the glassmaking school at Novy Bor. to produce a series of coloured. cased vessels with internal metallic foils. These were embellished by adding silver chloride and other metals and chemicals to add colour and extra features such as internal air bubbles. The design won a Gold Medal at the prestigious Leipzig Trade Fair in 1967.

Various designs were produced in series from 1964. typically in small vases and bowl forms. and sold by Exbor. Many have blue bodies cased in yellow. and a final thick outer layer of colourless glass. As each piece was handmade. and the technique was largely unpredictable. the results make each piece unique. with varying levels of success.

This comparatively very large vase is a tour de force example and was almost certainly produced for an exhibition. The gourd form was made using an ancient technique called ‘gathering on the post’ that was typically used for bottles.
The cut and polished rim. thickly blown heavy form. use of graduated green to yellow heat-sensitive glass. horizontal band of lobed metallic foil. and placement of sparkling bubbles are all signs of high quality.