Kai Blomqvist Vase

Style Brutalist
Materials Mould-blown Glass
Dimensions H 15cm, W 19.5cm, D 14.5cm, 1.9kg
Identifying Marks Signed
Condition Good Vintage Condition
Year c.1970s
Country Finland

Mould-blown Glass Vase by Kai Blomqvist for Kumela Riihimaki, Finland

This truly stunning Brutalist vase features super solid mould-blown cobalt crystal. It has a beautiful sculptural-like quality and it is signed ‘Kai Blomqvist’ and ‘Oy Kumela’ on the underside. This piece is in good vintage condition with some signs of visible wear commensurate with age and use, including some flea bites to the rim. I have provided close ups of these in the images.

Brutalism emerged in the 1950’s and grew out of the early 20^th century Modernist movement. The term comes from the French words ‘beton brut’, which means raw concrete. This is quite fitting given the characteristics of Brutalism –  rough, unfinished surfaces, unusual shapes, heavy looking materials and straight lines.