Kaj Franck 267 Grey Vase

A large and substantial, model KF 267, vase in grey and clear glass, designed by Kaj Franck for Nuutajärvi Notsjö, Finland.

Created in 1960, this thick cased-glass vase illustrates Franck's disciplined approach to design, combining functionality with a carefully considered sense of form.

The elongated, gently tapering silhouette rises from a small clear-glass foot, creating a contrast between the visual weight of the body and the apparent lightness of its base. The composition is simple yet highly considered, it has a quiet architectural presence.

The tension within the design is heightened by the deeply ground base, which forms a doughnut-shaped hollow beneath the vessel. As light is reflected and refracted in this area, the heavy body of the vase appears to hover slightly above the surface upon which it rests.

The effect becomes even more pronounced when the vase is filled with flowers, as the additional visual weight of a bouquet further contrasts with the surprising lightness created by the optical illusion below.