Gunnel Nyman vase

This hand-blown glass vase, designed by Gunnel Nyman and produced by Nuutajärvi glassworks in Finland during the 1950s, is an elegant and technically refined example of early Scandinavian art glass. Executed in clear glass with a subtle warm tint, the vase demonstrates Nyman’s distinctive approach to form, transparency, and optical texture. The elongated, capsule-like profile features gently tapering sides and a soft, rounded top with a closed rim, giving the piece a quiet but sculptural vertical presence.

The most striking feature of the vase is its internal structure, achieved through a controlled bubble technique. Uniformly spaced air bubbles are suspended within the thick glass body in a regular grid-like arrangement, forming a delicate inner architecture. This technique—sometimes referred to as “optical bubble” or “bubbled glass”—not only showcases a high level of technical control, but also transforms the piece into a dynamic optical object. As light passes through the glass, the embedded bubbles refract and reflect it, creating a constantly shifting visual experience depending on angle and illumination.

Gunnel Nyman (1909–1948) was a formative figure in Finnish modernist glass design. Although her professional career was cut short, she played a crucial role in the emergence of studio-style glass in Finland during the 1940s. Her work is characterized by an exceptional sensitivity to proportion, weight, and clarity, and her exploration of internal structuring within thick-walled glass vessels helped lay the foundation for later developments in Nordic art glass. Nyman’s bubble technique became a hallmark of her work, used not for decorative flourish but as a means of expanding the conceptual and visual dimensions of the material.

Produced by Nuutajärvi, Finland’s oldest operating glassworks (established in 1793), this vase represents a key moment in the company’s mid-20th-century history. Under the creative direction of designers such as Nyman, Kaj Franck, and others, Nuutajärvi became a leading force in international glassmaking, moving toward a fusion of utility, technical experimentation, and sculptural expression.

The vase remains in very good vintage condition. It retains excellent clarity, with no cracks or chips. The internal bubble pattern is intact and evenly distributed, and the surface shows only minimal wear consistent with careful age-related handling. The base is thick and polished, providing stability and emphasizing the substantial materiality of the piece.

Dimensions: 32.5 cm in height and 8.5 cm in diameter (approximately 12.8 × 3.35 inches). This vase stands as a rare and refined example of Gunnel Nyman’s contribution to modern glass design—both technically ambitious and visually serene—highlighting the delicate interplay between interior structure and external form.