This exceptional studio art glass vase commands attention with its dramatic, deep eggplant and dark aubergine palette that shifts elegantly under direct light to reveal rich amethyst undertones. Featuring a striking interplay of high-gloss polished surfaces against a heavily etched matte background, the vessel possesses an undeniable sculptural presence. The organic, swirling cameo-style motifs wrap around the baluster form, introducing a compelling graphic rhythm and rich textural contrast. Architecturally intriguing and highly decorative, it serves as a sophisticated focal point that beautifully captures and diffuses ambient light.
Attribution & Period
By Thorn Glass Studio, designed by Heather Wood and blown by John Kepkiewicz, dated '98-02. The underside of the base features an explicit, hand-engraved signature reading "Thorn glass '98-'02" as documented in image_7.png and image_8.png. This piece is a premier example of Canadian studio glass craftsmanship from their historic St. Jacobs, Ontario atelier. The vessel perfectly embodies the studio's celebrated signature technique: an artistic partnership where Kepkiewicz hand-blew multi-layered cased vessels, and Wood applied precise resists to sandblast low-relief, nature-inspired imagery into the colored glass.
Dimensions & Weight
Condition
In excellent structural condition. Clinical inspection reveals minor hairline surface scratches to the matte sandblasted body, which are minimized by the textured exterior and detailed close-up in the accompanying photographs. The bottom base shows standard shelf wear and a rough, unfinished pontil scar characteristic of its hand-blown manufacturing process as seen in image_8.png and image_10.png; no structural chips, cracks, or restorations are present.
Authenticity & Construction
This piece is a masterfully crafted studio object formed via traditional hand-blown techniques using intensely saturated amethyst glass. The intricate exterior decoration was achieved post-cooling through Wood's meticulous resist-sandblasting method, preserving the high-gloss polished finish on the raised abstract vine motifs while carving out a frosted, stippled ground. A heavy, clear crystal-like foot grounds the vessel, ensuring stability and providing a clear window into the dense color core.
Placement
The deep, near-black coloration provides a grounding, dramatic accent perfect for contemporary, brutalist, or transitional interior styles. Its striking contrast between matte and gloss textures makes it highly effective when placed on a minimalist travertine mantel, styled on an illuminated bookshelf, or positioned on a modern console table where backlighting can accentuate its deep purple transparency.
STANDARD ATTRIBUTION & VALUE DISCLOSURE: This piece is described to the best of current scholarly and market knowledge. Any maker or regional attribution is based on visual analysis, materials, construction techniques, and documented stylistic comparisons. As with many MCM and antique design objects, definitive attribution may not be possible without original labels or factory records. Pricing reflects condition, quality, decorative appeal, and current collector demand rather than guaranteed maker identification.
This exceptional studio art glass vase commands attention with its dramatic, deep eggplant and dark aubergine palette that shifts elegantly under direct light to reveal rich amethyst undertones. Featuring a striking interplay of high-gloss polished surfaces against a heavily etched matte background, the vessel possesses an undeniable sculptural presence. The organic, swirling cameo-style motifs wrap around the baluster form, introducing a compelling graphic rhythm and rich textural contrast. Architecturally intriguing and highly decorative, it serves as a sophisticated focal point that beautifully captures and diffuses ambient light.
Attribution & Period
By Thorn Glass Studio, designed by Heather Wood and blown by John Kepkiewicz, dated '98-02. The underside of the base features an explicit, hand-engraved signature reading "Thorn glass '98-'02" as documented in image_7.png and image_8.png. This piece is a premier example of Canadian studio glass craftsmanship from their historic St. Jacobs, Ontario atelier. The vessel perfectly embodies the studio's celebrated signature technique: an artistic partnership where Kepkiewicz hand-blew multi-layered cased vessels, and Wood applied precise resists to sandblast low-relief, nature-inspired imagery into the colored glass.
Dimensions & Weight
Condition
In excellent structural condition. Clinical inspection reveals minor hairline surface scratches to the matte sandblasted body, which are minimized by the textured exterior and detailed close-up in the accompanying photographs. The bottom base shows standard shelf wear and a rough, unfinished pontil scar characteristic of its hand-blown manufacturing process as seen in image_8.png and image_10.png; no structural chips, cracks, or restorations are present.
Authenticity & Construction
This piece is a masterfully crafted studio object formed via traditional hand-blown techniques using intensely saturated amethyst glass. The intricate exterior decoration was achieved post-cooling through Wood's meticulous resist-sandblasting method, preserving the high-gloss polished finish on the raised abstract vine motifs while carving out a frosted, stippled ground. A heavy, clear crystal-like foot grounds the vessel, ensuring stability and providing a clear window into the dense color core.
Placement
The deep, near-black coloration provides a grounding, dramatic accent perfect for contemporary, brutalist, or transitional interior styles. Its striking contrast between matte and gloss textures makes it highly effective when placed on a minimalist travertine mantel, styled on an illuminated bookshelf, or positioned on a modern console table where backlighting can accentuate its deep purple transparency.
STANDARD ATTRIBUTION & VALUE DISCLOSURE: This piece is described to the best of current scholarly and market knowledge. Any maker or regional attribution is based on visual analysis, materials, construction techniques, and documented stylistic comparisons. As with many MCM and antique design objects, definitive attribution may not be possible without original labels or factory records. Pricing reflects condition, quality, decorative appeal, and current collector demand rather than guaranteed maker identification.
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