Postmodernism vase, orange glass, Łysa Góra Glassworks, Poland, 1970s

A vase from the Łysa Góra Glassworks is an example of Polish artistic glass from the 1970s, representing a postmodern interpretation of the Mid Century Modern style. The form resembles a gourd: the body with two constrictions narrows towards the neck and wide opening, and on the side of the body, pairs of irregular, applied transparent glass attachments with organic, three-dimensional edges are present. The main part of the vessel is honey-amber, saturated with bands of yellow and white, which deepens the transparency effect. The glass mass surface is decorated with visible air bubbles and small inclusions, and the whole is distinguished by its shine and subtle colour transitions. Both the body and the side applications have careful, artisanal finishing typical of hand-blown glass from this period. From a collector's and practical point of view, the vase is in very good condition – there are no losses, chips, or cracks, and on the bottom, there are small, superficial scratches characteristic of its age. This glass could tell the story of the dynamic breakthrough in Polish design of the 1970s, when traditional techniques met experimentation and the need to express individuality. The gourd shape with wavy 'handles' on the sides resembles the organic fantasy of artists of that era – forms do not have to be symmetrical, and light plays on the transparent edges, trying to penetrate the irregular waves of glass. Every air bubble and every streak is a trace of the glassmaker's hand, an echo of an era that sought a dialogue between craftsmanship and freedom of form in glass, and the amber colour evokes the warmth of old interiors and the afternoon light entering the living room. Such a vase can be placed on a low sideboard or console made of warm wood, where it will be the central point of the composition. Combining it with geometric ceramics from the 1960s or in the company of smoked glass will emphasise its postmodern pedigree. It will also work perfectly in eclectic collector's spaces, next to simple wooden frames and large-format graphics. It is worth letting it catch the light – placed near a window, it will change its character depending on the time of day, exposing colour transitions and the texture of the glass.