Vintage IKEA Formlig Glass Vase Asa Gray Monochrome Spherical Bud Ornament 1999
£23.00
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Vintage IKEA Formlig Glass Vase Asa Gray Monochrome Spherical Bud Ornament 1999
£23.00
Item Overview
- Type: Discontinued Vintage Art Glass Vase / Retro Bud Vase Display Ornament
- Designer: Åsa Gray
- Brand: IKEA
- Manufacturer: IKEA Supply Chain Workshop
- MPN: 21802
- Place of Origin: Sweden (Designed) / China (Manufactured)
- Style: Y2K Minimalism / Late-90s Scandinavian Modern / Graphic Art Glass
- Colour: Glossy Gunmetal Grey / Translucent Smoky Charcoal Upper, Satin Opaque Off-White Base
- Design Era: Late 20th Century / Millennium Catalogue Collection (Dated 1999)
- Material: Thick Hand-Blown Art Glass / Mouth-Blown Cased Media
- Set Includes: One (1) Single Spherical Glass Bud Vase
- Features: Bicolour Horizontal Split Gradient, Narrow Cylindrical Neck, Factory Base Identification Sticker, Weighted Base Base Construction
- Condition: Excellent Vintage Condition (Exceptional surface preservation with no chips or fractures, retaining an incredibly reflective top finish and crisp bottom contrast)
- Size and Capacity: Mid-sized sculptural tabletop profile; measures approximately 13 cm in outer diameter at the widest point, and stands approximately 11 cm in total height.
Dating & Historical Context
- Dating: This distinct piece of retro art glass dates precisely to 1999. The manufacturing signatures—including the specific model identification number (21802), the copyright imprint on the underside label, and the specific application of the cased, mouth-blown two-tone gradient technique—are diagnostic features perfectly identifying this as a cornerstone launch piece from IKEA's highly collectable millennium-era "Formlig" collection.
- Historical Note: Released on the eve of the millennium, the "Formlig" series was conceived by vanguard Swedish fashion and textile designer Åsa Gray. Celebrated for her mastery of bold, graphic geometry, Gray brought a high-concept approach to IKEA's art glass catalog during this era. The design is characterized by its stark, contrasting split along the equator, blending a translucent, deep smoky grey dome into a short cylindrical spout, anchored by an opaque chalk-white base. These hand-blown art glass vessels were produced in highly localized batches, making them a significant milestone in accessible late-90s Scandinavian design. Because these fragile pieces were highly susceptible to interior hard-water scaling or impact fractures over the last quarter-century, finding an intact specimen that retains its original base paper sticker has become an absolute rarity for retro curators.
Description
A strikingly graphic and beautifully balanced acquisition for collectors of vintage Scandinavian design, late-90s prop stagers, or contemporary minimalist enthusiasts, this "Formlig" glass bud vase is full of industrial character. Built with a substantial, heavy-walled thickness, the vase features a smooth bulbous body that tapers cleanly into a narrow vertical opening, engineered to hold a single structural floral stem or dried botanical sprig. The upper section acts as a dramatic mirror, bouncing ambient light off its smoky gunmetal curves, while the lower white hemisphere grounds the piece firmly onto a floating shelf or sideboard display.
Expert Identification & Design Features:
- Åsa Gray Design Heritage: The piece stands as a verified example of premium late-20th-century Nordic utility minimalism, blending artistic cased glasswork with functional everyday placement.
- Bicolour Split Treatment: Employs an exact horizontal division line that shifts the vessel seamlessly from a high-sheen charcoal gloss down to an opaque, satin-finished white base.
- Mouth-Blown Artistry: Hand-crafted construction ensures a thick, substantial weight profile, leaving beautiful, organic variations in glass density across the sphere.
- Constricted Rim Neck: The short, straight collar rim guides fluid or stems effortlessly while keeping the absolute geometry of the sphere unmarred.
Condition Report
This vintage glass piece is in superb condition, showcasing a marvelous presentation throughout. The thick art glass body is structurally perfect, entirely free from perimeter fleabites, internal bruising, hairline fractures, or rim chips. The high-gloss upper section remains beautifully clear and reflective, displaying no cloudiness, hard-water scaling lines, or deep cleaning scratches. Internally, the chamber is entirely clean and free from residue. The original paper factory sticker on the underside displays honest, expected light edge fraying and natural paper yellowing, confirming its 1999 authenticity without impacting the display properties of the vase. (Please examine the detailed macro gallery photographs to confirm the glass clarity and verify the physical scale).
Shipping & Logistics
- Domestic Shipping: FREE UK TRACKED DELIVERY.
- Packaging: This heavy art glass vase will be wrapped in multiple layers of high-density bubble cushioning, packed inside a dedicated internal box, and nested safely within a rigid outer container lined with anti-shock loose-fill packaging peanuts to prevent any transit shifting.
- Dispatch: Order before 12.00pm and we ship same day.
Returns & Payment Policies
We want you to be delighted with your heritage find.
- Not as Described: In the unlikely event of an error in our listing, we will provide a full refund and cover the return postage costs.
- Change of Mind: We accept returns within 30 days; however, in these instances, the buyer is responsible for the return shipping costs.