Images(3)

vase

Object NameVase with Serpent

Designer František Tejml (Czech, 1933-2004)

FactoryProbably Borske Sklo National Corporation, Exbor Studio

Maker Borske sklo Glassworks

Made FromNon-lead Glass

Date1958

Place MadeCzechoslovakia, Novy Bor

TechniqueBlown, enameled

SizeOverall H: 43 cm

Accession Number62.3.133

Curatorial Area(s)

Postwar and Contemporary

Exhibitions

Glass Behind the Iron Curtain: Czech Design, 1948-1978

Glass 1959: A Special Exhibition of International Contemporary Glass

On ViewModern Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

Designs for Czech glass after 1945 are widely respected for their originality and innovation. Like mid-century Italian and Scandinavian glass, Czech glass was influenced by contemporary art. What distinguishes Czech glass of the period, however, is the artists’ treatment of glass as a medium for abstract painting and sculpture. Abstraction in the fine arts was not permitted by the Czechoslovak communist government. This piece was exhibited in “Glass 1959”.

Physical DescriptionColorless non-lead glass, transparent amethyst and reddish-brown enamel, opaque black enamel; blown glass, enameled by hand, lustred, fired. Tall cylinder that tapers in slightly towards lipless opening ground flat; lower 3/4 of walls decorated with overall amethyst background overlaid on one side with stylized vertical zig-zag snake whose body extends entire length of vase with head at top (open mouth, reddish-brown forked tongue, black fangs), body covered with irregular black and colorless diamond scales, head covered with small colorless circles with black centers on black background, large eye with amethyst ring and reddish-brown pupil, entire body outlined with black points, end of tail loops and splits; solid base, no pontil; unsigned.
Provenance

Former Collection Skloexport Liberec - 1962-10