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WMF Cari Zalloni Uranium Glass Vase Duo Space-Age Design Vintage Futurism Style
€720Bid from €540
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About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales
Product description
Space Age Radiance — Uranium Glass Vase Duo by Cari Zalloni for WMF, Germany, 1970s
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Forms | Glows Under UV Light
A strikingly rare and luminous duo of vases from the legendary WMF Geislingen glassworks, designed by the visionary Cari Zalloni during the golden era of West German design. Both pieces are made of uranium-infused glass—known for its soft chartreuse hue in daylight and its dramatic fluorescent glow under UV/blacklight.
Zalloni’s signature silhouettes are unmistakable here: boldly flaring conical forms, minimal yet expressive, with a satisfying symmetry that references both modern architecture and the biomorphic language of the 1970s Space Age aesthetic. These are not just vases but light-sculptures—designed to interact with the environment, catching and refracting ambient light by day, and transforming into radiant beacons by night.
What makes this duo extraordinary: both pieces are uranium glass—an increasingly rare material once prized for its optical properties. Under blacklight, the green and amber tones fluoresce with an ethereal neon glow, a phenomenon caused by trace amounts of uranium dioxide added during production. This glowing quality, once a popular feature in pre-war and mid-century tableware, has become a hallmark of collectible 20th-century glass.
Key Details:
• Designer: Cari Zalloni (1937–2012)
• Manufacturer: WMF Geislingen, Germany
• Period: circa 1970s
• Material: Handblown uranium glass
• Colors: Amber and Honey (both glow chartreuse under UV)
• Dimensions:
– Vase 1: Height 19.5 cm | Diameter approx. 17 cm
– Vase 2: Height 20 cm | Diameter approx. 18 cm
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition with minimal signs of wear consistent with age
About the Designer:
Cari Zalloni was one of the most innovative figures in postwar design, known for his work in ceramics, glass, and eyewear (most famously Cazal). His creations for WMF balance industrial clarity with sculptural softness, often evoking futurist and organic forms. This duo is a testament to his forward-thinking design ethos.
Collector’s Note:
Uranium glass is safe to handle and display; its faint radioactivity is well below hazardous levels. Its appeal lies not only in its hypnotic glow but in its role as a fascinating material experiment of its time—uniting chemistry, craftsmanship, and mid-century optimism.
This pair is ideal for collectors of mid-century modern glass, WMF Geislingen, Cari Zalloni, or those drawn to the mysterious beauty of uranium glass. Display them in daylight for their subtle hues, and under UV light for a truly magical transformation.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Questions are welcome and will be answered promptly. International buyers are very welcome — please contact me in advance for exact delivery costs if located outside the EU. Any import duties or taxes 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. Buyer data will be used solely for processing and shipping.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsYellowMaterialGlassNumber of items2StyleVintageBrandWMFHeight20 cmWidth18 cmDepth18 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Berlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 20 sales