Specialist Otto Billstrom speaks to us about Bertil Vallien, a renowned artist in contemporary art glass, who has harnessed the ancient art of sand-casting glass to create a unique and distinctive body of work. In our upcoming October 31st sale, six distinctive idols, crafted using this technique, will be offered.
27 October 2023
VIEW AUCTION REQUEST A VALUATION CONTACT A SPECIALIST
Bertil Vallien, a renowned artist in contemporary art glass, has harnessed the ancient art of sand-casting glass to create a unique and distinctive body of work. While sand casting is often considered less refined than the blowing technique favoured by 20th-century glass masters, it has become Vallien's hallmark. Departing from Greco-Roman traditions, he adopted this method in the 1970s and, by a fortuitous accident, developed his signature black glass texture while striving for a darker cobalt blue shade.
In our upcoming October 31st sale, six distinctive idols, crafted using this technique, will be offered. These enigmatic figures deliberately lack distinct features, encouraging viewers to project their own identities onto them. Rooted in his upbringing in a religious household, Vallien's art serves as a meditation on existentialism, prompting us to contemplate our place in the world and the journeys of our lives.
design@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778
Sworders are delighted to be presenting contents from the personal collection of the celebrated art collector Doris Lockhart Saatchi in our autumn auctions.
24 September 2026
A collection of Georgian silver flatware offered in our 22-28 September Open House sale provides a tangible link to one of the most memorable figures in the history of Eton College: Dr John Keate, Headmaster from 1809 to 1834.
23 September 2026
Our 13 October auction, The Glass Sale, presents a fantastic private collection of John Hutton works.
23 September 2026