ICONIC COLLECTOR'S ITEM: CZECH ART GLASS: 'MATURA'S HEAD' 1972 DESIGNED BY ALFRED MATURA (1921-1979)

A LIBOCHVICE GLASSWORKS COLOURLESS & FROSTED VASE, DESIGNED BY ALFRED MATURA IN 1972

A RARE, ICONIC COLLECTOR'S ITEM

An iconic collector’s item often referred to as ‘Matura’s Head’, the figural design is highly unusual for both Matura and pressed glass designs of the period. It can appear as a face looking out, or as two kissing faces in profile. The selective acid frosting added another step to the production process and accentuates the design. This important design was shown on the cover of Czechoslovak Glass Review in 1974 and on the inside back cover of an issue in 1979.

Pattern 3485 / Height : 145 mm / Width : 145 mm / Weight : 1,584 Kg

LITERATURE

Alena Adler: Adolf Matura. Glass Union kp OBAS, Teplice, 1983, n 29.

Adlerová A., Soucasné sklo, Odeon, Praha 1979, s. 12-13.

Czechoslovakian Glass Review, sv. 40, 1985.

Helmut Ricke (ed): Czech Glass 1945-1980. Design in an Age of Adversity. Arnoldsche, Stuttgart 2005, pp. 264, No. 192.

Hill, Mark. Hi Sklo Lo Sklo: Post War Czech Glass Design from Masterpiece to Mass-produced, 2008, 148pp (example reproduced on page 85).

Langhamer, A. The Legend of Bohemian Glass: A Thousand Years of Glassmaking in the Heart of Europe. Tigris, Zlín, 2003, 294pp (identical example on page 190).

Marcus Newhall: Glass Union. Art Before Industry: 20th Century Czech Pressed Glass. Hope Fountain Books, Braintree 2008, pp. 88.

Sýpka Auction 24 catalogue, lot 356 (identical example)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Along with Scandinavia and Italy, Czechoslovakia was one of the leading European producers and exporters of glass across the world during the second half of the 20th Century. The 1950s-70s saw a renaissance in Czech glass design that confirmed and re-established the country's global reputation in this area. From behind the Iron Curtain, highly talented and exceptionally skilled designers pushed the boundaries of 20th century glass design and produced unique art glass masterpieces that went on to inspire visually stunning ranges and exquisite works of art in sparkling glass.

Exported and sold around the world as ‘art glass for the home’, these modern and vibrantly coloured designs became enormously successful. During the last five years or so international tastes and fashions have brought Czech post war art glass very much into vogue once again and hence the renewed appreciation of the glass hierarchy and the public alike.

Czech art glass has rapidly been becoming the latest highly sought after additions to prized art glass collections all over the world.

* Shipping costs are R120 via Postnet (South Africa only).

* The item will be packed to withstand an earthquake!

* You may find some of my other listed items of interest. Simply click on 'All Items' (on the top right of this screen) to view 200+ items.

* Please note that glass from the mid-20th century is vintage glassware and age related signs of wear such as small fine surface scratches/marks should be expected. The items are hand-made, they may have imperfections such as bubbles, inclusions and lumps within the glass. Tool marks from where they have been shaped and worked in the manufacturing process can often be seen. As this indicates authenticity and forms an inherent part of the character of handmade crystal glass, these are normally not considered as faults by collectors. This magnificent vase is an original and rare, hand-made Czech art glass vase (and not Italian Murano, Kosta Boda, Orrefors, Flygsfors, Swarovski, Leerdam, Val St Lambert or Lalique studio glass). XKOBUI1 SWCT