Sculptural Studio Glass Vase by Hanns Model – Signed HM 1978
Cold-Worked German Studio Glass | Optical Lens Motifs | Stuttgart School
This rare and expressive studio glass vase is an original work by Hanns Model (1908–1983), a German glass artist trained under Wilhelm von Eiff at the pioneering Glaswerkstatt of the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart. Model was part of the so-called “Stuttgarter Schule,” a post-war movement in German applied arts that merged Bauhaus-rooted design clarity with highly individualised studio craft.
Hand-signed *HM 1978* on the base, the vase features a twisting, asymmetrical form, reminiscent of a flame or seed pod in motion. Its satin-etched surface is punctuated by smooth, polished optical ‘windows’—elliptical elements that catch and refract light dramatically, inviting tactile as well as visual engagement. This combination of cold-working, surface contrast, and sculptural tension is typical of Model’s distinctive approach.
The attribution has been confirmed by a specialist curator. Comparable pieces by Hanns Model, as well as works by his son Reiner Model, are held in the permanent collection of the Kunstsammlungen der Veste Coburg—one of Germany’s foremost museums for glass and decorative arts.
Model’s career bridges generations of postwar German glass art. His work draws on the legacy of von Eiff’s functional modernism but evolves it toward poetic singularity, with each object bearing the artist’s hand in its asymmetry and finish. His exploration of form through both hot and cold techniques places him among the most original voices of his era in European studio glass.
Key Details:
• Artist: Hanns Model (1908–1983), trained under Wilhelm von Eiff
• Origin: Stuttgart School of Applied Arts, Germany
• Medium: Handblown and cold-worked clear glass with etched surface and inset polished lens motifs
• Signed: HM 1978 (engraved on base)
• Height: approx. 32 cm | Diameter: approx. 16 cm at widest point
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition with light wear to base and minimal surface marks
• Provenance: Germany, private Berlin collection
A powerful piece of tactile modernism and a compelling example of postwar German glass sculpture—ideal for collectors of Brutalist aesthetics, studio glass, and 20th-century applied arts.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Explore my profile for more retro vases, vintage fashion, and design objects.
Questions are welcome and will be answered promptly.
International buyers are very welcome!
Please contact me in advance for precise delivery costs if you're located outside the EU. Any import duties or taxes are the buyer's responsibility.
All items are described as honestly and carefully as possible. Vintage pieces may show signs of age; any significant flaws will be clearly mentioned and shown in photographs. Naturally occurring production irregularities, minor scratches, or wear consistent with normal use may be present.
If purchasing multiple items, feel free to inquire about combined shipping.
Important Notice: This transaction is between a private seller and a private buyer of secondhand goods. No refunds, returns, or warranties in accordance with German law.
Privacy Notice: Buyer information will be used solely for completing the transaction and arranging shipment.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsTransparentMaterialGlassNumber of items1Height32 cmWidth16 cmDepth16 cm