Kaj Franck KF 106 Tall Amber 'Usva' Vase

A tall 'Usva' vase in amber and clear glass, designed by Kaj Franck in 1951 for Nuutajärvi Notsjö, Finland.

Translating as 'mist' or 'haze', Franck's 'Usva' vases are as evocative in name as they are in form. Examples with a frosted white interior are perhaps the most obviously reminiscent of mist, while this amber version has a warmer, more luminous character, shifting the mood towards the glowing orange light of a hazy sunset.

Composed of two softly joined lobes, the vase's fluid, organic form catches and intensifies light as it passes through the thick glass. The amber core creates shifting areas of intense colour and shadow within the clear outer layer.

Elegant and understated, 'Usva' is a beautiful example of Organic Modernism where Franck uses the inherent qualities of glass as an integral part of the design.