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Josef Hospodka for Chřibská Glassworks – Sculptural Sommerso Art Glass Vase Duo | Czechoslovakia, 1960s
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Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 28 sales
Product description
Josef Hospodka for Chřibská Glassworks – Sculptural Sommerso Art Glass Vase Duo | Czechoslovakia, 1960s
A remarkable pair of hand-blown sommerso art glass vases designed by Josef Hospodka for Chřibská Glassworks during the golden age of Czechoslovak glass design. Produced in the 1960s, these sculptural works embody the expressive freedom, technical innovation, and luminous colour palette that made Bohemian art glass internationally celebrated.
Together, the two vases form a harmonious composition, their contrasting proportions creating a dynamic dialogue of movement, transparency, and colour. With their folded organic rims, fluid silhouettes, and suspended layers of cobalt blue, rose pink, and clear crystal, they are as much sculptural objects as functional vessels.
Design & Artistic Context
Josef Hospodka transformed traditional blown glass into an expressive sculptural medium. Rejecting symmetrical forms, he developed vessels defined by flowing contours, asymmetrical folded rims, and dramatic optical effects achieved through thick layers of coloured crystal.
The larger vase rises in a graceful vertical composition, its elongated body crowned by sweeping, wing-like extensions that seem to unfold naturally from the molten glass. The smaller companion echoes this vocabulary in a broader, more compact form, creating balance through contrast rather than repetition.
Both examples employ the classic sommerso technique, with rich cobalt and sapphire blue tones gradually dissolving into delicate pink hues, all suspended within thick clear crystal. The result is extraordinary optical depth, as colours appear to float inside the glass, constantly shifting with changing light and viewing angles.
About the Designer
Josef Hospodka (1923–1989) is regarded as one of the most important figures in post-war Czech glass design. As chief designer at Chřibská Glassworks, he developed a distinctive artistic language characterised by organic asymmetry, expressive movement, and vibrant colour combinations.
His work departed radically from traditional decorative glass, embracing sculptural abstraction while preserving the exceptional craftsmanship of Bohemian glassmaking. Today, his designs are represented in major museum collections and remain among the most sought-after examples of twentieth-century Czech art glass.
About Chřibská Glassworks
Founded in 1414, Chřibská is among the oldest continuously operating glassworks in Europe. During the twentieth century, the factory became internationally recognised for innovative hand-blown art glass that united centuries of Bohemian craftsmanship with modern artistic experimentation.
The collaboration between Chřibská and Josef Hospodka produced some of the defining masterpieces of Czech modernist glass, admired today for their technical sophistication and sculptural beauty.
Details
Designer: Josef Hospodka
Manufacturer: Chřibská Glassworks (Sklárna Chřibská)
Origin: Czechoslovakia
Period: 1960s
Material: Hand-blown sommerso art glass
Colors: Blue, pink and clear crystal
Dimensions
Large Vase
Height: 30 cm
Diameter: 16 cm
Medium Vase
Height: 21 cm
Width: 20 cm
Depth: 13 cm
Condition
Excellent vintage condition. Both vases are free from chips, cracks, and restorations, with only minimal traces of age and handling consistent with careful preservation.
Why Collect This Duo
Authentic Josef Hospodka designs from the 1960s
Produced by the historic Chřibská Glassworks
Classic Bohemian sommerso technique
Elegant combination of cobalt blue, rose pink, and clear crystal
Expressive folded rims and sculptural organic forms
Rare curated pair with complementary proportions
Museum-quality examples of Czech mid-century art glass
Collector's Note
Original Hospodka designs remain among the most iconic achievements of twentieth-century European glassmaking. Their combination of sculptural freedom, technical mastery, and luminous colour continues to attract collectors worldwide. Finding two complementary examples preserved together is increasingly uncommon, making this duo particularly desirable for collectors of Czech glass and modernist decorative arts.
Displayed together, they create a striking architectural composition in which light becomes an active part of the design. Whether placed on a sideboard, console, pedestal, or gallery shelf, the pair brings exceptional colour, movement, and sculptural elegance to contemporary, mid-century, Scandinavian, or eclectic interiors.
General Information
Please explore our profile for more vintage vases and collectible art glass.
International buyers are welcome. 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 and handling; any significant flaws will always be clearly described and illustrated.
GENERAL INFO Check out my profile for many more retro vases! Questions are welcome and will be answered ASAP International buyers are welcome! Please contact me for exact delivery costs in advance if you're outside the EU I try to describe all the items as accurately and as honestly as possible, and I always include photos of the actual items. There can be naturally occurring manufacturer's defects, slight surface scratching, or wear consistent with normal use. Any condition outside normal vintage wear, like chips or cracks or serious defaults, will be noted and/or clearly visible on the photos. Most importantly: this is a transaction between a private seller and a private buyer of secondhand items, so no refunds or returns are accepted, nor any claims of guarantee or similar services, according to law.
GENERAL INFO Check out my profile for many more retro vases! Questions are welcome and will be answered ASAP International buyers are welcome! Please contact me for exact delivery costs in advance if you're outside the EU I try to describe all the items as accurately and as honestly as possible, and I always include photos of the actual items. There can be naturally occurring manufacturer's defects, slight surface scratching, or wear consistent with normal use. Any condition outside normal vintage wear, like chips or cracks or serious defaults, will be noted and/or clearly visible on the photos. Most importantly: this is a transaction between a private seller and a private buyer of secondhand items, so no refunds or returns are accepted, nor any claims of guarantee or similar services, according to law.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsBlue, Multi Color, Transparent, PinkMaterialGlassNumber of items2StyleVintageHeight30 cmWidth16 cmDepth16 cm
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About this seller
Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 28 sales