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Rosenthal Glasstudio Filigrana Vase Duo – Mario Colelli & Hertha Bengtson · Limited Edition Art Glass, Germany
€1,200Bid from €999
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Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 23 sales
Product description
Rosenthal Glasstudio Filigrana Vase Duo – Mario Colelli & Hertha Bengtson · Limited Edition Art Glass, Germany
Description:
An exceptional duo of sculptural glass vases from Rosenthal’s Glasstudio program, designed through the rare and compelling collaboration between Murano glass master Mario Colelli and modernist designer Hertha Bengtson. These works represent a sophisticated synthesis of Venetian craftsmanship and Northern European design discipline.
Both vases are executed in hand-blown glass using the traditional filigrana (Fadenglas) technique, in which fine canes of black and warm amber-brown glass are embedded within clear crystal. The threads are precisely twisted into a continuous vertical spiral, creating a shimmering optical vibration across the surface. Light activates the pattern, producing a dynamic interplay of density and transparency—at once controlled and fluid.
The duo is defined by two complementary interpretations of the same formal language:
– The larger vase (H 26 cm) is more elongated and architectonic, its gently rising neck lending a sense of vertical tension and elegance.
– The smaller vase (H 21 cm), in a classic “Zwiebelform” (onion form), emphasizes volume and containment, with a fuller body and softer silhouette.
Together, they form a dialogue between expansion and elevation, between grounded presence and upward movement—an interplay central to Bengtson’s design thinking.
Dimensions:
Large Vase: Height 26 cm, Diameter 18.5 cm, Opening approx. 2 cm
Small Vase: Height 21 cm, Diameter 21 cm, Opening approx. 2.5 cm
Material: Hand-blown glass
Technique: Filigrana / Fadenglas
Finish: Glossy
Color: Black, amber-brown, and clear
Manufacturer: Rosenthal Glasstudio
Origin: Germany (Murano technique)
Edition: Limited edition (one piece numbered 018-3/200; the second likely from the same series, unnumbered or variant)
Condition:
Both vases are in excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks, or restorations. Minor internal inclusions or micro-bubbles may be present, consistent with the filigrana process and hand-blown production.
About the Designers – Mario Colelli & Hertha Bengtson
Mario Colelli, trained within the Murano tradition, specialized in complex cane work and filigrana structures, mastering the delicate balance between precision and fluidity in glass. His contribution lies in the technical orchestration of pattern and optical depth.
Hertha Bengtson (1917–1993), a central figure in Scandinavian modernism and long-time Rosenthal collaborator, brought a rigorous formal clarity to the partnership. Known for her porcelain designs, Bengtson translated her architectural sensibility into glass—favoring proportion, restraint, and structural coherence over ornament.
This collaboration is emblematic of a broader cultural exchange: Italian artisanal virtuosity filtered through Scandinavian functionalism and realized within a German industrial-artistic framework.
-Design Context
Rosenthal Glasstudio, particularly active from the 1970s through the 1980s, functioned as a laboratory for limited-edition glass design. It aimed to reposition glass not merely as decorative craft, but as a collectible design medium—parallel to Studio-Linie porcelain.
Key contextual elements embodied in this duo:
– Filigrana as structure: no longer decorative, but integral to the form’s visual architecture
– Serial individuality: each piece unique despite limited-edition production
– Cross-European synthesis: Murano technique × Scandinavian modernism × German production ethos
– Sculptural objecthood: vessels conceived as autonomous forms rather than purely functional containers
The warm amber-black palette further situates these works within late 20th-century sensibilities, where color becomes depth rather than surface.
What for:
A museum-level pairing for collectors of Rosenthal Glasstudio, Murano-influenced art glass, and postwar European design. Particularly effective when displayed together, where their subtle formal differences activate a spatial conversation. Ideal for interiors that privilege light, material, and sculptural presence.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Please explore our profile for more vintage vases!
International buyers: import duties or taxes, if applicable, are the buyer’s responsibility.
All items are photographed and described with care. Vintage pieces may show minimal traces of age; any significant flaws will be clearly mentioned.
Private sale under law: no returns, refunds, or warranties.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsTransparentMaterialGlassNumber of items2BrandRosenthalHeight26 cmWidth18 cmDepth18 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 23 sales