A trio of important Charisma designs by Nickerson for Blenko

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A trio of important Charisma designs by Nickerson for Blenko

About the Item

_ (Items also available individually, please email to inquire.) A Pair of rare and important designs from the "Charisma" Specialty Line designs by John Nickerson for the Blenko Glass Company in 1972 and made in limited quantities for one year only. Charisma is more than just the last great Specialty Line http://www.blenkoarchive.org/blenko_specialty_lines.htm the Blenko Glass Company produced; it is an uncommonly beautiful and eloquent swan song for the company's Historic Period of 1947-74 courtesy of John Nickerson in his first full year as the company's design director. The Charisma line consists of 10 designs executed in crystal with an internal garland pattern Ruby colorway. The technique was essentially a revival of a one used in the mid-Atlantic region of America circa 1860-1880. Mid-Atlantic glass is recognized as an important milestone as it was the first large scale iteration of the American glass industry, established in 1739. Charisma was a significant exploratory move towards more technically demanding and elaborate work at Blenko. It represented their first instance of the use of an internal colorway as well as the revival of the concept of the Specialty Line which was formally established in 1960 by Wayne Husted (Rialto, Regal and Raindrop). This revisiting of the Specialty Line concept is surprising in that the 1960 experiment was a financial disaster for Blenko and the reintroduction can perhaps be effectively interpreted as a line in the sand against the encroaching competition of Studio Glass. Sadly, this line in the sand was ultimately breached against Blenko's favor and Charisma remains among the last great designs produced at Blenko. The decanter on the left was chosen to represent the Charisma line by being pictured on the Blenko Glass Company's 1972 catalog cover http://www.blenkoarchive.org/Blenko_Catalogs/1972_01.jpg . It was, in fact, the first and only time that Blenko ever featured a single decanter on the cover, and a more perfect and iconic candidate does not exist. The decanter shape is based on a traditional form known as a "ship's decanter" because the broad bottom with low center of gravity ensures stability at sea. In effect this is a very historically aware design - quoting both important technique and form - but reinterpreted in a very modern way. I place this shape as among the most important designs of the line. Charisma is easily one of Nickerson's most insightful and important innovations, one that deserves its place in history. RIGHT: #7240X Charisma Specialty Line teardrop vase. Measures 15 inches tall x 4.75 inches diameter. CENTER: tall cylindrical Charisma Specialty Line vase with cinched waist,design #7221X. Measures 18 inches tall x 3.75 inches diameter. LEFT: #7225X Charisma Specialty Line ships decanter. Measures 13.75 inches tall x 10.25 inches diameter. Each designed in 1972, made for 1 year only, and pictured in the 1972 catalog on page fifteen http://www.blenkoarchive.org/blenko_catalog_1972.htm ___ All our glass is vintage mid-20thC hand blown art glass. Items are guaranteed to be authentic, with certificates provided for each purchase. Damon Crain, proprietor of Culture Object, is the leading dealer and expert in vintage 'Historic Period' Blenko glass (1947-74) and mid-20th century Empoli glass. Damon has published numerous articles http://www.cultureobject.com/press.htm in leading international publications including Modern Magazine, Glass Quarterly, Modernism and Miller's Publications. Damon has worked with museums throughout North America ans has served as Vice President of the New York Metropolitan Glass Club http://www.glassclub.org/. As a Director of the Blenko Museum http://www.blenkomuseum.org/ Damon has worked on several exhibitions of the work of the Blenko Glass Company.

Dimensions:
Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1970-1979
Date of Manufacture:
Mid 20th Century
Condition:
Seller Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
Seller: 39761stDibs: U12031693069