Nanny Still 'Neptuna' Bottle Vase

A 'Neptuna' bottle-vase, designed by Nanny Still in 1964 for Riihimäen Lasi Oy, Finland. 

Nanny Still's work for Riihimäen Lasi Oy is a rich & varied array of glass design. The richness of Still's portfolio is, in part, thanks to her experiments with glassblowing techniques. These techniques give much of Still's work an intricate complexity, and give her designs a unique expression in the context of Postwar Finnish glass. In Finland, decorative elements, other than colour, were often overlooked during the mid-20th Century in the name of Modernity. Still, however, used old-world techniques to aid her thoroughly Modern expression.

Nanny Still's 'Neptuna' series utilises an optical mould. Optical or 'dip' moulds have been used for centuries to apply texture to mouth-blown glass. First used by the Romans, the technique was refined by Venetian glassblowers of the 15th Century.

The wavy texture of Still's 'Neptuna' series has been applied using an optical mould. Reminiscent of rippling of water, the optical texture likely gives the series its name. 'Neptuna' was blown in a beautiful pale sea-green glass, which not only contributes to the series' elegance, but also its remarkable suitability for a contemporary interior setting.

The form of this vase is a tall, elongated bottle. Still's signature geometry has been applied in the form of a sphere, which contributes to this bottle's distinctive and highly decorative flair.