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Rare Sculptural Czech Glass "Propeller" Vase Duo Jan Beránek & Jan Kotík
€900Bid from €749
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Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales
Product description
Sculptural Czech Glass Duo by Jan Beránek and Jan Kotík – Rare Mid-Century “Propeller” Vases from Skrdlovice Glassworks (H 29.5 & 21 cm)
Two Visceral Masterpieces from the Vanguard of Czech Glass – Circa Late 1950s–Early 1960s
A strikingly sculptural pair of hand-blown glass vases, created by two of Czechoslovakia’s most visionary postwar designers: Jan Beránek and Jan Kotík. Produced at the famed Skrdlovice Glassworks, these works embody the expressive, experimental ethos of Czech studio glass—fusing painterly color, molten form, and avant-garde sensibility.
Vase 1 – Model 5988 “Red Core” by Jan Beránek
Designer: Jan Beránek (1933–2014)
Glassworks: Skrdlovice (formerly Beránek Glassworks)
Model Number: 5988
Technique: Freeform hot-sculpted Sommerso glass
Colors: Fuchsia, violet, petrol green, inner ruby red
Height: 29.5 cm
Weight: Approx. 4.5 kg
Literature Reference: R. B. Jones & J. Parik, Beránek & Skrdlovice: Legends of Czech Glass, Mark Hill Publishing, 2014, p. 42
An icon of mid-century Czech design, this “Red Core” model is among Beránek’s most lauded works—a sensual abstraction of molten glass, pulled and sculpted into a visceral, glowing totem. Its thick undulating walls trap and refract light, the inner red core flickering like fire behind water. Each example in this series is one-of-a-kind, shaped entirely by hand at the furnace.
Vase 2 – Attributed to Jan Kotík (Late 1950s–Early 1960s)
Designer: Attributed to Jan Kotík (1916–2002)
Glassworks: Skrdlovice
Technique: Sommerso with sculptural indentations
Colors: Layered green, aqua, and ultramarine blue
Height: 21 cm
Weight: Approx. 3 kg
Condition: One small chip to underside base (not visible when displayed)
This smaller yet equally complex vase is attributed to painter, sculptor, and experimental designer Jan Kotík, who collaborated with Czech glassworks during the transformative postwar years. Known for his pioneering “propeller” forms and surrealist language of bulging, folded, and punctured mass, Kotík’s work bridges abstraction and biomorphism. The asymmetrical folds and organic flow in this vase recall his signature manipulation of hot glass as an expressive sculptural medium. Its somber underwater palette further emphasizes its brooding, organic character.
Aesthetic Dialogue
Together, these vases create a dramatic visual pairing: Beránek’s blazing, baroque fire-column meets Kotík’s cooler, marine-toned sculpture. They form a tension of scale, tone, and gesture—two temperaments of the same material language, frozen mid-metamorphosis.
Condition
Beránek vase: Excellent vintage condition. No damage or restoration.
Kotík-attributed vase: Very good condition. One minor chip on underside base (not visible when upright). Light surface wear consistent with age.
Collector’s Highlights
Important and rare “Red Core” model by Jan Beránek
Strong attribution of companion vase to Jan Kotík, with distinct sculptural traits
Both works exemplify the radical innovation of Czech mid-century glass
Ideal for collectors of Brutalist design, postwar abstraction, and studio glass
A sophisticated pairing for curated interiors, museums, or modernist collections
GENERAL INFORMATION
Questions are welcome and answered promptly. International buyers encouraged.
Please contact me before purchase for accurate international shipping costs. Customs duties, if applicable, are the buyer’s responsibility.
All items are described to the best of my knowledge, with detailed photographs. Vintage items may show normal signs of age. Any significant flaws are always mentioned and shown.
Combined shipping may be possible—please inquire.
This is a private sale. No returns, refunds, or warranties are provided per German law. By purchasing, you accept these conditions. Buyer data is used solely for transaction and shipment.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsMint, Turquoise, Purple, Green, Red, Multi Color, TransparentMaterialGlassNumber of items2StyleVintageHeight30 cmWidth13 cmDepth13 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales