The Magic of the Lamp: Flameworked Objects from the Permanent Collection
On ViewBen W. Heineman Sr. Family Gallery of Contemporary Glass.
Interpretive Notes
The drinking glasses on view in this case are functional, but they are not examples of commercial design. They are crafted objects, designs made by hand in limited numbers. The intent of these objects is not to reflect the best design of, or use for, a drinking glass, but to offer a personal alternative that addresses the more emotional values and sensibilities of the artist and the user.
Physical DescriptionGoblet, "Copa de Ceremonia I (Ceremonial cup)". Colorless and transparent pale green non-lead glasses, gold and iridescent lustres; blown cup and foot, sandblasted and lustred flamework stem, assembled with Loctite (ultra-violet) adhesive. Tall "Venetian style" goblet with ornate stem; deep bowl with optic ribbing, fire polished rim, adhered to elaborate flameworked stem consisting of straight central column with decorative extensions extending at right angles; elements on stem descending from double flattened knops at base of cup--(curved snake with extended tongue, enameled pale green, sandblasted rings, extending up and in towards top of bowl; beneath snake, two branches extend opposite each other-one with one crimped leaf, the other with three crimped leaves; extensions under branches become symmetrical: two green, ringed snake bodies extend out, then curve down to pointed tips framing three pairs of gold lustred short points; below green snakes the shaft is lustred gold with a narrow upper black band, from this section extend outward are two smaller colorless snakes with sandblasted rings and heads with extended tongues curling back around body; beneath snakes are three pairs of longer, undulating points with tips lustred green); near base gold lustre ceases and shaft becomes ringed, then adhered to slightly conical hollow base; no pontil; inscribed in diamond-point script on base: "S. Plum/1989/1/25". Provenance
