Nanny Still 1404 'Pompadour' Vase

A superb olive green 'Pompadour' vase designed by Nanny Still in 1966 for Riihimäki Glassworks, Finland.

The curvaceously "hooped" form of Still's Pompadour series is unmistakably of the 1960s, with a bold, playful quality created by its undulating silhouette. Yet the design also brings to mind traditional turned woodwork, particularly the curves of a Victorian-era baluster or newel post. Whether or not these architectural details provided any direct inspiration, the familiarity of the profile gives the series' dynamic forms an unexpected versatility.

The ability to appear both exuberant and sophisticated makes this 'Pompadour' vase particularly compelling in a contemporary interior, something further enhanced by its colour; The rich, deep olive green has an earthy quality that slightly tempers the playfulness of the silhouette, allowing the vase to sit remarkably comfortably in both modern and more traditional settings.

This piece is formed from exceptionally thick, heavy glass, with the olive green body terminating in a substantial clear glass foot. The colourless base provides a crisp visual break, appearing almost to lift the undulating green form above the surface on which it stands.