Vicke Lindstrand 'Hen' Decanter

An engraved decanter in the form of a hen, designed in 1955 by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta, Sweden.

This sculptural decanter has been softly formed into the shape of a roosting hen. The brilliance of this piece however is that the form does not hinder the item's usability or function. Rather, the hen becomes a tactile and surprisingly efficient way to store and serve alcohol. 

The decanter is enhanced artistically with a hand-engraved pattern, indicative of feathers, and a hand-tooled head, with beak and comb, which becomes the decanter's stopper.

Vicke Lindstrand is a prominent figure in the history of Scandinavian glass. He is best regarded for his engraved works produced by Orrefors glassworks during the 'Swedish Grace' movement of the 1930's. 

This stylised decanter of the 1950's retains Lindstrand's preference for hand-engraved glass, but shows also the more playful and whimsical approach to Modernism taken by the designer during this later period.