Mid-century modern vase, cobalt glass, Germany, 1950s

A vase from the 1950s, made of double-layered glass in an intense cobalt shade, is an example of post-war German design, attributed to VEB factories. The form is based on a symmetrical, cylindrical body that gently tapers towards the base. The structure is decorated with large, highly polished oval and round facets, regularly distributed over the surface and creating transparent 'windows' in the cobalt glass mass. The whole is kept in a cool, saturated blue shade, without additional contrasting colours. The vase is devoid of decorative details outside of geometry – the proportions and rhythm of the facets remain subordinate to the mid-century modern style. The condition is described as excellent: no signs of wear, losses or traces of restoration, the glass is smooth, shiny, retaining the authenticity of the original. The design of this vase tells the story of an era of dynamic change in German applied design, when the emphasis on simplicity of form was combined with bold colour and the precision of glassmaking craftsmanship. The cobalt glass surface recalls the ambitions of the project – to make light the hero of the arrangement, and the faceted 'windows' allow you to observe how the interior changes under the influence of movement and changing lighting. The form hides nothing behind ornament: it tells a raw, modern story about light and colour, typical of Central European modernism of the 1950s. This vase can be displayed solo on a light wooden or marble tabletop to give the cobalt glass a graphic contrast and depth. In spaces kept in the spirit of mid-century modern, it is worth combining it with ceramics with milky glaze or simple forms in natural shades of beige, grey or olive – the geometric motifs of the facets will emphasise the compactness of the composition. It is possible to combine it with a table lamp on a metal base or a poster in black and white tones to fully bring out the chiaroscuro qualities of the glass. It will work both in an ascetic living room and a shiny foyer, creating a compositional focal point.