Marsberger Glaswerke ice block vase, red & orange, soliflore, 23 cm, 1972

This massive block glass vase comes from the Marsberger Glaswerke Ritzenhoff in Marsberg, Sauerland, and was produced in 1972. The glassworks, in the hands of the Ritzenhoff family since 1934, is primarily known today for its drinking and beer glasses, but also produced a distinct line of decorative block glass in the 1960s and 1970s. These heavy vases, formed from a single gather of glass, are referred to in the trade as "ice glass" or "ice block" due to their ice-like effect and are considered sought-after examples of post-war West German glass design today.

The flat, oval body resembles a cast glass block and tapers at the top into a gently indented, heart-shaped head featuring a narrow opening for a single flower or twig. Dense swirls and streaks of red, orange, and rust-brown float within the clear, slightly wavy glass, spreading upward from the base like a rising flame. Several horizontal, clear thread lines structure the body, while fine reddish-brown color granules settle at the base. The ice-like, slightly textured surface in the upper area and the depth effect, which changes depending on the light, make each piece unique.

Whether used as a solifleur or purely as a glass object, the vase looks best against the light on a sideboard, windowsill, or shelf, fitting into both mid-century interiors and minimalist, modern settings. Small bubbles and streaks in the glass are characteristic of the manufacturing process and are not damage. The vase measures 23.2 cm in height, 11 cm in width, and 4.6 cm in depth and is in very good condition. VAT is not shown.