Bean vase, mid-century modern, green glass, design by J. Drost, Ząbkowice, Poland, 1970s

The 'bean' vase is an example of pressed glass from the Polish Ząbkowice glassworks, designed by Jan Sylwester Drost in the 1970s. The vessel, made of soda glass intensely coloured green, shows a subtle colour transition: the distinctly green top gently fades into an almost black-green base. The glossy surface enhances the depth of colour and accentuates the sculptural texture created by irregular, convex oval motifs—the so-called 'beans'—that encircle the entire body. The vase's silhouette is slender, gently narrowed in the middle and softly widens towards the top, ending with a flared rim. No visible damage, chips or signs of repair; the piece is in excellent condition, with barely noticeable signs of age. This vase speaks the language of Polish modernism of the 1970s: its organic shape and three-dimensional pattern reflect the decade's fascination with material and structure. The glass, shimmering with shades of green, evokes the aura of the Ząbkowice glassworks' laboratory explorations—Drost's work was a manifesto of openness and experimentation. The streamlined form echoes inspiration from nature, while the luminous reflections on the surface promise a play of light in the interior. The vase attracts attention without imposing, rather leading a subtle dialogue with its surroundings. This vessel can be used both as a standalone decorative object on a sideboard or windowsill, and in combination with other glass elements—for example, with transparent or smoky vessels from the mid-century era. It fits perfectly in spaces inspired by modernism, soft vintage, as well as eclectic, collector's arrangements where colour accents and three-dimensionality play an important role. It is worth pairing it with raw materials such as wood or ceramics to emphasise the contrast of textures or combining it with a minimalist background to showcase the uniqueness of 1970s Polish pressed glass.