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

A glass vase from the 1970s, designed by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz and produced at the Krakow Glass Institute, is shaped like a tall goblet resting on a wide, flat base. The slender stem is accented by a characteristic spherical bulge, and the proportions of the body are balanced: gently rounded walls smoothly expand upwards, creating a dynamic yet harmonious silhouette. The intense, uniform red colour of the glass—without shading or decoration—focuses attention on the purity of form and the almost mirror-like gloss of the surface. The design fits the classic mid-century modern principles: organic curves are emphasised, ornamentation is abandoned, leaving a noble dialogue of colour, light, and proportion. The glass is perfectly smooth, without scratches, chips, or discolouration; the condition is described as very good—no signs of repair or secondary intervention, all details remain true to the original design of the era. This vase seems to echo the 1970s, when Polish art glass gained worldwide recognition thanks to bold experiments in form and colour. The deep red, reflecting light in an almost theatrical way, carries echoes of those times: the energy of modernist optimism, sophisticated reinterpretations of classic vessels, and the freedom with which designers like Orkusz redefined everyday objects. Subtle curves and a strong, vertical line remind us that even a simple vase can become a sculptural manifesto—a symbol of a unique era in Polish design. The vase can be a focal point on a light wood sideboard, serving as a standalone accent or as a base for a simple arrangement with single long-stemmed flowers. It works well in a living room decorated in the spirit of mid-century modern or modernist eclecticism, where it is worth pairing with ceramics in muted colours and large mirrors or graphics with graphic, geometric forms. It can be combined with light marble or raw concrete, allowing the saturated red to bring energy to a neutral palette.