Hand-Blown Swirl Art Glass Vase, Signed

A striking vintage hand-blown art glass vase featuring dramatic black and warm caramel swirls that create a beautiful tortoiseshell effect. Its sculptural form and expressive patterning make it an especially appealing example of decorative studio glass.

The vase has a rounded, generously proportioned body that tapers toward a narrow cylindrical foot, balanced by a short neck and thick black glass rim. Broad ribbons of dark glass spiral across the creamy amber ground, becoming finer and more closely gathered around the shoulders. The glossy surface and fluid movement of the pattern emphasize the handmade character of the piece.

Tortoiseshell-inspired glass has long been admired for its rich coloration and organic patterning. During the 20th-century studio glass movement, artists explored these effects through the manipulation of contrasting colors in molten glass, producing individual works in which the decoration becomes an integral part of the vessel itself.

Signed, with the signature possibly reading McQuade, this example combines bold graphic patterning with a pleasingly compact, sculptural silhouette. Beautiful displayed on its own, it would also complement a collection of antique ceramics, natural materials, and vintage art glass.

Origin: Signed "McQuade"
Material: Hand-blown art glass
Dimensions: 5" W x 7" H
Condition: Vintage condition with no obvious chips or cracks visible in the supplied photograph. Minor surface wear may be present. Please review photographs as part of the condition description.