1970s Don Shepherd Style Iridescent Icescape Lettuce or Oyster Art Glass Centerpiece Bowl

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Description

A spectacular sculptural iridescent art glass centerpiece bowl composed as a dramatically unfurling head of lettuce or cabbage, its deeply … Read more A spectacular sculptural iridescent art glass centerpiece bowl composed as a dramatically unfurling head of lettuce or cabbage, its deeply modeled overlapping leaves terminating in irregular, undulating edges. It also resembles an oyster shell in our opinion.

The substantial clear-to-opalescent glass is enhanced by a luminous iridescent surface that changes dramatically according to the surrounding light, producing flashes of pearl white, lavender, pale blue, aqua, rose, yellow and soft gold. Viewed from above, the bowl takes on an almost floral appearance, while its low profile reveals the extraordinary dimensionality of the individually articulated, rippling leaf forms.

The design strongly recalls the experimental American studio glass associated with designer Don Shepherd, particularly his sculptural “Icescape” and “Icefloe” designs. A documented Don Shepherd Icescape bowl has been described as combining the appearance of melting and dripping ice with a crisp lettuce-form bowl, while the Blenko Collectors Society records Shepherd’s private D.A.S. Designs “ICEFLOE” line as having been manufactured at Blenko and marketed through Rubel & Co.

The present example appears particularly impressive in scale and complexity, with multiple concentric tiers of highly dimensional glass creating an almost topographical surface.

Both decorative and functional, the bowl makes an exceptional centerpiece. Filled simply with lemons, as photographed, the translucent iridescent glass creates an especially striking contrast between the naturalistic leaf form and saturated citrus yellow.

Its botanical character also places the piece within the long tradition of lettuce- and cabbage-inspired decorative arts. Naturalistic vegetable-form tableware has been produced in Europe since the 18th and 19th centuries and became particularly fashionable in American interiors during the later 20th century.  Here, however, the familiar lettuce motif is translated into distinctly modern American art glass.

A wonderful piece for collectors of American studio glass, Blenko, Don Shepherd, iridescent glass, organic modern design and sculptural tabletop objects.

It could also be fantastic in a Palm Beach/Florida Regency setting alongside wicker, lacquer, bamboo and botanical pieces. That association isn’t arbitrary: lettuce and cabbage ware has a particularly strong history in Palm Beach decorative culture through Dodie Thayer, whose pieces were collected by figures including Jackie Kennedy Onassis and the Duchess of Windsor.

In a contemporary interior, I’d put it on a travertine, marble, or plaster cocktail table and leave it empty. The form becomes almost a glass sculpture.

Dimensions:
2.75" Tall
15" Wide
15" Deep See less