Mid-century modern vase, glass, designed by J. Słuczan-Orkusz, Poland, 1970s

A glass vase by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz, designed in the 1970s for the Krakow Glass Institute, is an example of Polish artistic glass from a period of dynamic development, when experiments with colour and form drew inspiration from both the international mid-century modern style and classic applied art. The vase is made of blown glass, with a distinctive gradient colour scheme – from deep red through saturated orange to transparent yellow at the base. It features a slender, cylindrical body that smoothly transitions into an expanded, fluted base of dark red glass. Two symmetrically placed handles, made of slightly transparent orange glass, crown the neck of the vase, emphasising its decorative function while referencing the form of an ancient amphora. The rich gloss of the surface and subtle details highlight the handmade technique. The vase is sold in a worn condition: there is a discreet repair at the base from previous gluing, and there are also minor signs of use typical for the object's age. The vase evokes the colours of glowing glass that enlivened Polish interiors in the 1970s, emphasising their individual character. It could tell of a time when bold colour experiments responded to the grey reality of the PRL. Its form – dynamic, rounded, with handles like the arms of an amphora – seems to speak of a longing for classical forms, but dressed in a completely new palette. The colour transition acts as a story of fire and light, and the glass's gloss catches the rays, investing each day with a note of expression and authenticity. The vase can work perfectly in a living room as a solo accent on a chest of drawers or console; it is worth pairing it with minimalist furniture and fabrics in neutral shades to highlight the vibrancy of the colours. It also works well among other glass forms from the mid-century era, creating a collector's composition against a background of matte, restrained surfaces. It can be paired with a single blade of exotic grass or left empty to emphasise its sculptural character and the complexity of the colour transition.