24th Sep, 2025 10:00
Ken Bolan | Nature Follows Form
274
Eight Murano coloured vases
20th century,
20.5 to 36cm high (8)
Murano Glassware | A Legacy of Light and Colour
In the early 2000s, Ken – through his wife – came into possession of a remarkable collection of Murano glassware, acquired from a discerning Swiss collector whose passion for Venetian glass spanned decades. This was no ordinary assemblage; it was a museum-worthy trove that embodied the very essence of Murano craftsmanship – vivid colour palettes, daring forms, and a level of technical mastery passed down through generations of glassblowers.
Murano glass, produced for centuries on the Venetian island of the same name, has long been revered for its artistry and innovation. From the Renaissance onward, Murano artisans pioneered techniques such as filigrana, Sommerso, and millefiori, blending alchemy with aesthetics to create glass that was as complex as it was beautiful. This collection encapsulated that rich heritage, yet it also felt distinctly modern – a balance that would later prove key to its appeal.
£200 - £400
Buyer's premium: 30.00% (inclusive of VAT, where applicable)
Condition Report
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Auction: Ken Bolan | Nature Follows Form, 24th Sep, 2025
Few dealers in the last fifty years have had an eye as instinctive or a career as colourful as Ken Bolan. From a young boy gazing longingly through the window of a Berkshire antiques shop, to an international tastemaker with a reputation for style, boldness and flair, Ken’s journey through the art and antiques world has been one of passion, adventure, and unerring intuition.
This auction features a distinctive collection of traditional, modern and contemporary furniture, impressive bronzes, lighting and works of art, including a remarkable mosaic panel by celebrated British sculptor Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993), a striking centrepiece that was once at home in her swimming pool at Woolland House in Dorset.
The sale also boasts a captivating collection of jewellery conceived and created by Ken in collaboration with Swiss designer Marinette Domon, with every piece meticulously crafted in Switzerland by master jeweller Denis Domon, working from his atelier in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Acknowledgements
With our grateful thanks for their collaboration on this auction:
Photography | Dan Glasser and David Brook
Videography | Oli Crossland
Viewing
Viewing
Viewing will be held at The Studio, Berrywood Lane, Donhead St Mary, Shaftsbury, Dorset SP7 9DH as follows:
Saturday 20 September, 10am - 4pm
Sunday 21 September, 10am - 4pm
Monday 22 September, 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 23 September, 10am - 4pm
Please note that no lots will be available to view at the Stansted Mountfitchet saleroom, either before or during the sale.
Directions From London to The Studio
M3 and A303 west | A350 to Shaftsbury | Follow signs to Donhead St Mary
what3words: ///aimlessly.prominent.stones
Parking is available on-site at the Studio. Please note some areas may prove difficult for those with mobility issues.
Please be aware that the roads and lanes around Donhead St Mary are narrow.
Enquiries
Saturday 20 September - Friday 3 October:
T The Ken Bolan Studio 01747 828047
Outside of these dates:
T 01279 817778 E privatecollections@sworder.co.uk
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