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Alexandrite Neodymium Art Glass Vase Václav Horáček Josefodol ZBS Czech 1957
€120Bid from €99
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Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales
Product description
Neodymium Art Glass Vase by Václav Horáček for Josefodol / ZBS
Czechoslovakia, 1957 | Colour-Changing Alexandrite Glass | Sculptural Mid-Century Modern Design
Description:
A luminous and rare piece of 1950s Czech glass design, this sculptural vase was designed by Václav Horáček in 1957 for the Josefodol glassworks (later known as Železný Brod Sklo – ZBS). Made from Neodymium (Alexandrite) glass, the vase shifts in colour depending on the light source: it appears a delicate lavender-pink in daylight or LED light and transforms into a cool blue under fluorescent light — a stunning optical phenomenon prized by collectors.
With its precision-cut vertical ovals in alternating polished and satin finishes, the piece evokes the rhythm of organic structures — almost botanical in its symmetry, yet modernist in execution. Its elongated, slightly oval body and flat-cut top and base emphasize the object’s architectural clarity.
Design and Material:
Horáček’s work is noted for its three-dimensional surface modulation — here, a pattern of stylized leaf or petal shapes in alternating gloss and frost is deeply carved into the thick neodymium crystal. The interplay of light, geometry, and molecular glass chemistry gives this vase its unique presence: it is as much a scientific curiosity as it is a sculptural vessel.
Details:
Designer: Václav Horáček
Manufacturer: Josefodol Glassworks (later Železný Brod Sklo, ZBS)
Origin: Czechoslovakia
Year of Design: 1957
Material: Colour-changing Neodymium (Alexandrite) glass
Technique: Hand-cut and cold-polished sculptural design with satin-relief panels
Height: 20 cm
Weight: Approx. 580 g
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. A few fine base marks from movement; no cracks, chips, or restorations.
Lighting Note:
The vase’s neodymium composition causes it to shift in hue — a remarkable quality prized by 20th-century glass collectors. This effect varies dramatically between daylight, halogen, LED, and fluorescent sources, giving the vase an almost magical presence that changes with its environment.
About the Designer:
Václav Horáček was a key figure in the Czech postwar design movement, working at the intersection of functionalism and experimental form. His 1950s creations for Josefodol and ZBS are characterized by complex surface modulation and innovation in glass coloration — laying the foundation for the sculptural glass idiom that would define Czechoslovakia’s artistic exports in the decades to come.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Explore my profile for more Czech art glass, mid-century design, and collectible modernist objects.
Questions are welcome and will be answered promptly.
International buyers welcome! Please inquire for precise shipping costs outside the EU.
Import duties or taxes, if applicable, are the buyer’s responsibility.
All items are photographed and described with care. Vintage pieces may show minor traces of age; any major imperfections are clearly noted.
Combined shipping available upon request.
Private sale under German law: no returns, refunds, or warranties. Buyer information is used solely to complete the transaction and arrange shipment.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsPurple, PinkMaterialGlassNumber of items1Height20 cmWidth5 cmDepth4 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales