ROBERT HELD (CANADA) 3 PC. MODERNIST SET SMALL IRIDESCENT COLOR ART GLASS VASES

Description

ROBERT HELD
(CANADA)
3 PIECE SIGNED MODERNIST
SET OF SMALL IRIDESCENT COLOR ART GLASS VASES,
W/DRIP GLASS DECORATIVE OVERLAY
(Circa 1978-1986)
Late Modernist Canadian art glass
DIMENSIONS:
Pink:
3 ½" Height x 2
½
"
Width x 2
¼" Rim
Turquoise:
3 ½" Height x 2 ¼" Width x 1
½" Rim
Purple:
2 ¾" Height x 2
½" Width x 2" Rim x  1
½" Depth
DESCRIPTION:
This trio of wonderful vintage R
obert Held
(Canada) hand blown small vases or apothecary type bottles with flat silled, fluted tops, were discovered together in the same estate. They feature pontil breaks on their bases from when they were blown and realized in studio. They showcase the delicacy and masterful use of color and material by the legendary and critically heralded Canadian glassblower
Robert Held,
considered to be the father of and pioneer of modern Canadian art glass.
Held
began his glass blowing studio in Vancouver, Canada where he moved to with his wife in the late 1970's. The vessels are of graduated size and all vary slightly in color and in form, with turquoise, pink and violet being the semi-transparent base colors. They all have iridescent, semi-transparent glass sidewalls, with darker veins of color occurring. The vessels then have fully opaque drip glass applied over the still molten hot vessel sidewalls like meandering, thin lines, as if the woven, delicate silk filament webbing left by a spider. The interaction and collision of the opaque dripped glass filaments on the slightly cooler glass of the vessels creates episodes of nuanced color occurring directly around the base of the dripped filament. Simply outstanding technique, mesmerizing color and effortless form make this trio of art glass vessels by the Canadian hot glass blower and artist
Robert Held,
absolute winners and masterful works of art glass. Splendid.
ROBERT HELD
Robert Held
aspired to be an artist from an early age. While pursuing a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts at the University of Southern California, Held was awarded the graduate assistantship. Upon graduating, he was offered the position of Head Ceramics at the new Sheridan College in Ontario. After discovering his love for glass blowing, he returned to Sheridan and launched Canada’s first college level hot glass program in 1969. This program allowed many North American artists to become skilled in the medium and established Held as the pioneer of art glass in Canada. In 1987,
Robert Held Art Glass
was born after he and his wife decided to move to Vancouver and experience the lifestyle that the West Coast had to offer. The company has since grown to become Canada's largest hot glass studio and the line is carried in major museum collections, large retailers and galleries of all sizes.
QUOTES:
"Glassblowing allows me to explore both painterly concerns and my fascination with surface decoration, while continuing to challenge the other physical and creative skills required to take the vessel shape in ever new directions. I strive to create pieces that provide both a tactile and visual pleasure. It is through this experience that I can share my passion for glass with the world."
~Robert Held
CONDITION:
Very Good to Excellent overall vintage condition.