Modernist Art Glass Whirlpool Vase by Robert Fritz

Modernist Art Glass Whirlpool Vase by Robert Fritz

Stunning art glass vase by one of the founding fathers of the 1960’s studio art glass movement. Completely unique freeform abstract blown glass vessel by California artist and teacher Dr. Robert Fritz. (b. 1920 d. 1986) Signed by the artist on base. Made in the 1960’s/1970’s. In the early 1960’s, Fritz studied under Harvey Littleton, who is often referred to as the First father of the 1960’s art glass movement. Dr. Fritz then worked and taught at San Jose State College in California which became the first college in the nation to have a glass program. Glass art students with great promise receive the Dr. Robert Fritz Scholarship.

An image of this very vase is shown on the Wikipedia page titled “Dr. C. Fritz”. Click this link to view. The article is a bio of Dr. Fritz. United States senators Ted Kennedy (February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009), Tom Harkin and Ron Wyden own freeblown glass creations by Fritz. His work can be seen at the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery and major museums and private collections throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan.

This fabulous object is a vase. The opening is wrapped with thick strands of crystal glass. The body was made with a pleasing ambers and browns. The decor includes a vortex/whirlpool tunnel shooting through the inside accompanied by random trapped air blisters. I believe the vortex was accomplished by adding a blob of glass to the vessel, while hot, and pushing a long needle through the hot glass and re-blowing. Needless to say, this vase required the skills of a master to create it.

The base is polished flat with a soft pontil mark in the middle. Signed “Fritz”. Measures 6″ tall, 5.5″ at widest, with a girth of 17″ around. Thick, heavy, quality glass weighs 4 lbs. In excellent condition.