Auri No 30 with Platinum, an Optical Orb Glass Sculpture by Anthony Scala

Turbulence in Aubergine is a unique glass sculpture by the British artist, Anthony Scala. Sculpted and handblown, this artwork is created from very thick glass which is filled with a multitude of trapped bubbles. Each one sparkles and catches the light, all enhanced by the intense yet fading colour of the main form. About this collection in the artist's own words; "My Turbulence pieces have always been a way for me to step back from my precise optical work and re-engage with the material on a more ‘physical’ level. The colours I choose are always soft, muted shades which act as the perfect backdrop for the drama and movement of the effervescence. The shapes are unfussy so as not to detract from the light play given off by the myriad of bubbles. The pieces are blown incredibly thickly. This is to maximise the depth of the glass and impart an intensity of movement to the effervescence captured within each piece" With a career in glass now spanning over 20 years, Scala creates art works that can only be described as acts of precision. As equally beautiful as they are meticulously created and despite being a hugely skilled glass blower, it is with cold working that Scala excels. Initially qualified as an architectural model maker, it was during this time that Scala learnt many disciplines that would be equally relevant to and ultimately inform his practice today. His passion for glass was discovered however during an apprenticeship with Peter Layton at his studio at London Glassblowing. The beginning of a long standing association for him with this acclaimed studio. In 2005 at the age of 27, Scala won the prestigious 'Glass Sellers Award' (other recipients have included Alison Kinnard, Colin Reid, Richard Jackson, and Bob Crooks...

‘Earthly Treasures No 27’ is a unique sculptural bowl by the British artist, Morrison Thomas. It is made from burred English Elm inlaid with Cornish Turquoise. Morrison turns beautiful wooden spheres from damaged or diseased trees that have been felled as they can no longer survive. Using aged wood such as this, reveals cracks and crevices which the artist can inlay with precious minerals. The results are breathtaking. These take on the role of globes and are evocative of old maps. The minerals suggest undiscovered islands and continents. During Thomas’ time as a designer and maker of furniture it was usual practice to mask and hide any blemishes or cracks in the wood, however much like the Japanese art of Kintsugi (where ceramic breakages are repaired with gold and precious metals) Thomas highlights the anomalies in the wood by inlaying them with naturally formed colorful minerals, many taken from his personal collection which he still adds to. Recent visits to the ‘World Famous’ Blue John Mine and also a working Fluorspar mine in Derbyshire has meant new materials for future inlays. With the wood hard to find and unpredictable to turn, the resulting union of the Earth’s natural resources are patiently and skilfully jigsawed together, resulting in truly unique treasure-laden artworks. Is his own words: ‘The two mediums I combine both come directly from the Earth. The trees form and grow at the surface whilst the minerals can form at great depth. It is not unknown for some trees to have accumulated pieces of crystals in their roots. The thought of this combination of a substance formed during explosive episodes in the Earth millions of years ago with a gently formed living substance, which may have been growing for hundreds of years before finally coming to an end, is both exhilarating and intriguing. I think of it as a fusion between animate and inanimate, above and below the ground, naturally both beautiful, and without which, we as humans could not survive’ Morrison Thomas was born at New Inn Cottage in the tiny village of Charlton near Banbury, Oxfordshire. His father was a cabinet maker & carpenter who was also a wheelwright and blacksmith, as with many village craftsman of the time, he was skilled in all things. Keeping the family tradition, Thomas continued in his father’s footsteps and is a fourth generation woodworker. As a furniture designer & maker Thomas has exhibited his work in numerous high profile galleries and undertaken many prestigious commissions. He has written articles on woodworking with his work appearing in numerous publications. Previously the chairman of the Surrey Guild of Craftsmen and with a listing in Debrett’s Who’s Who, his achievements are many, especially in consideration that he received no formal training, with his skills obtained from observing and listening to his father. For many years Thomas designed and made contemporary furniture but mainly due to health reasons stopped making larger-scale works. With woodworking in his blood and a material he simply couldn’t stop creating with, he resumed his creative skills some years later by making unique hand-turned wooden vessels...

Aqua colored art Ggass orb sculpture on wooden stand, circa 1980s. The glass orb is in very good condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3"D x 4.5"H. Great color and clarity o...

A large clear art glass orb sculpture or paperweight with bubbles, circa 1990. The orb is layered with internal air bubbles and measures 6.6"D x 6.5"H. The orb is in very good vintag...