Based in Osaka, Iwatsu Glass stands as one of Japan's most recognised and prolific manufacturers of mid-century art glass. Operating at the height of the country's post-war manufacturing boom, the furnaces produced an outstanding volume of high-quality decorative wares that rivalled the output of traditional European glasshouses on the global market.
The company reached a creative and production peak during the 1960s and 1970s, releasing a diverse range of vases, centrepieces, and art glass pieces. They captured the aesthetic of mid-century modern design, frequently featuring vibrant swirls of colour cased in thick, clear glass.
Read more about Iwatsu Glass here.
Following the Second World War, Japan's manufacturing sector underwent a period of rapid industrial expansion. During the 1960s and 1970s, domestic glass furnaces shifted their primary focus from utilitarian household items, to producing highly decorative art glass, targeted at the booming Western export market.
This era established Japan as a dominant force in global mid-century glassware production, allowing them to directly compete with the established European glasshouses of the period.
Read more about Japanese glass production here.
THIS LISTING
Series ArtGlass
Colour Rainbow - Blue, Chartreuse, Pink
Production 1960/70s
Dimensions 12cm tall, 24cm (9.4") diameter
Condition Excellent condition with no wear we can see. Retains its original label, and comes with its original packaging.
