Vase, modernism, glass, designed by J. Słuczan-Orkusz, Poland, 1970s

A glass vase from the 1970s, designed by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz for the Krakow Glass Institute, represents a modernist and experimental approach to utilitarian glass of that era. The simple cylindrical form in an intensely saturated red shade with a glossy surface is decorated with irregular, encircling threads of red-orange glass, creating a tactile texture and visual contrast against the smooth body. Each of these applied bands highlights the artisanal character of the product and the designer's skill in playing with light and colour in glass. The vase is in very good condition, with no visible damage or clouding of the glass, indicating careful use or meticulous collector care. This glass form carries a story of the boldness of the 1970s, a time when Polish design experimented with colour and structure. The red comes alive when light passes through the glass, and the irregular threads swirl on the surface like traces of the engaged hand of a master glassmaker. The vase seems to suggest that glass can retain the energy of a gesture and the temperature it acquired in the fire – this piece captures a moment of expression and the trace of human handiwork. In a living room, it can be placed on a low wooden sideboard or a wide windowsill, where the sunlight will enhance its fiery reflections. It also pairs interestingly with other glass accents – simple clear glass vases, ceramic bowls, or metal trays. Good companions will be mid-century modern furniture or interiors drawing from eclectic collector styles, where the vivid red and artistic form will become a visual focal point.