Modernism vase, orange glass, designed by J. Słuczan-Orkusz, Poland, 1970s

A vase designed by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz for the Krakow Glass Institute in the 1970s, made of blown glass. It features a fluid, sculptural form reminiscent of the modernism of the era – the vase resembles a goblet set on a double, spherical stem, ending with a wide and stable round base. The glass surface is smooth and undecorated, and the entire piece is handmade, visible in the seamless transitions between the bowl, stem, and base, as well as the absence of visible seams. The colour is intense: deep, semi-transparent orange transitions from a strong red shade at the base to a lighter, transparent yellow-orange at the top. The glass shines and retains its full clarity. The vase is in very good condition – no chips, cracks, or scratches; the gloss and clarity of the material indicate careful storage with no signs of restoration. The form of this vase seems to tell the story of Polish design in the 1970s: the sculptural shape and intense colour evoke the spirit of artistic courage and the search for modern means of expression amid the everyday life of the PRL. The glass resonates with saturated energy – light trapped in the orange mass refracts, creating a sense of warm pulsation. The smooth surface draws the eye, as if the vase encapsulates the optimism of the era and the talent of Polish glassmakers. The goblet construction symbolises both a festive character and an informal need for beauty, which found an outlet despite the material limitations of the time. Such a vase is worth using as an accent point in a subdued living room arrangement – it can be placed solo on an oak console, a minimalist stone or marble top, where the saturated colour contrasts with a neutral background. Combined with other 1970s glass or in contrast to raw wood and ceramics, the vase brings out a collector's retro vibe – it works well in modernist, eclectic, and mid-century inspired spaces, where light highlights the colour transitions. The composition can be complemented with a single, graphic branch or the vase can be left empty, allowing its form to serve as a small sculpture.