Vase, mid-century modern, glass, designed by J. Słuczan-Orkusz, Poland, 1970s

A vase designed by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz for the Krakow Glass Institute in the 1970s, representing an example of Polish artistic glass from that period. The vessel's body has a regularly rounded shape, smoothly transitioning into an irregular, organic base with sculptural protrusions reminiscent of solidified molten glass. The colour palette features a gradient: from deep wine red at the top, through fiery oranges, to lighter, almost amber tones at the base. The glass is semi-transparent with a highly polished surface, enhancing the intensity of the colours and allowing light to penetrate the structure. The whole piece is in the modernist idiom with the individual touch of the Polish school of glass, characteristic of Słuczan-Orkusz's work. Condition is very good: the surface is smooth, free of chips or scratches, with no visible restoration marks — the base is stable and decorative due to hand-forming. The form of this vase, with its winding base and saturated colour, evokes the atmosphere of 1970s Poland. Here, handwork and experimentation are embedded in the blood-orange and amber hues — as if the glass has not yet cooled after casting, turning everyday material into a sculptural gesture. The vase 'tells' of a time when the glass studio became a laboratory of exploration — and each piece was a record of the meeting between craftsmanship and artistic freedom. The product can be displayed as a single accent on an oak console or shelf, preferably surrounded by simple, neutral surfaces to let its colours stand out. Combined with minimalist ceramics or transparent forms, it works well in mid-century modern collector's interiors or gallery spaces. It is worth pairing it with iridescent details or glass in contrasting colours — to achieve the full effect of light and colour play, in the spirit of the Polish school of glass of the 1970s.