Overview
A large art glass egg designed by Monica Backström, one of the leading Swedish glass artist of the late 20th century. This sculptural object rises with gentle, organic curves from a weighted base to a softly rounded top. The surface combines deep, layered tones with scattered light accents that catch and refract light, giving the piece a presence both quiet and dynamic. Height: 19 cm, Weight: approx. 0.7 kg.
Design & Surface
The surface is composed of a mottled field of dark and warm brown shapes, overlaid with lighter flecks that resemble mother-of-pearl. These pale inclusions create a subtle tension against the rich, earthy ground, as though glimpsed through shifting light. The patterning feels biological and geological at once, like fossilised stone or a cell structure in motion - a hallmark of Backström’s expressive use of colour and form.
Technique & Craftsmanship
Hand-blown and shaped in the studio tradition of Swedish art glass, the egg carries a complex interplay of colour inclusions within the glass mass. Each spot and tone was integrated into the piece during the blowing and shaping process, not applied after the fact. This gives visual depth and a layered internal surface that shifts as the viewing angle changes.
Artist - Monica Backström
Monica Backström was one of Sweden’s foremost glass designers in the second half of the 20th century. For more than four decades she worked with Kosta Boda, where she developed a signature language of expressive colour, rich texture, and sculptural form. Her work is held in major public collections around the world, including the National Museum of Sweden (Stockholm), the Victoria & Albert Museum (London), the Museum of Arts and Design (New York), and the Corning Museum of Glass (USA). She also served as a professor in Swedish design education and contributed to over ten public art installations across Sweden.
Series Context
This egg belongs to a group of works in which Backström explored rhythmic colour fields within a unified form. Rather than surface decoration alone, the glass itself carries its pattern from the interior, producing a sense of material integrity and visual depth. Objects from this series remain highly regarded among collectors of Scandinavian studio glass.
Measurements
Condition
Very good vintage condition. Surfaces show fine trace marks consistent with gentle handling and age. No cracks, chips or structural damage noted.
