Clutha Vase
c. 1895
Medium
Blown glass
Dimensions
42.8 × 11.1 cm (16 7/8 × 4 3/8 in.)
Classification
vase
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
63546
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
In designing his Clutha line, Dresser looked to ancient Roman and Venetian glass that incorporated several colors to great effect. His embrace of naturally occurring bubbles and striations in the glass lends a handcrafted aesthetic, while the vase’s sinuous form references the burgeoning Art Nouveau style. Clutha is the ancient Celtic name for Clyde, the river that flows through Glasgow; the maker of this vase, James Couper and Sons, was located on the banks of the River Clyde. The Clutha line w...
About the Artist
Christopher Dresser · 1834–1904
Christopher Dresser (1834–1904) was one of the most innovative and prolific designers of the nineteenth century, widely regarded as a pioneer of industrial design long before that discipline had a name. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he trained at the Government School of Design in London, where he studied under leading educators committed to improving the quality of British manufactured goods. He wen...