2024-04-25
Regarded as a reformer of Polish functional glass, creator of characteristic glasses on a thin, drawn leg, Zbigniew Horbowy was an extraordinary figure of Polish design. A gifted designer, meticulous artist and excellent teacher associated with the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, formerly the State Higher School of Fine Arts, he left behind a number of exquisite glasses that have found thousands of followers over the years.
Glass beginnings
Glass was not at all an obvious choice at the beginning of Horbowy's path. The young artist, interested in mechanics, wanted to study at a polytechnic, but thanks to his friend Jerzy Antkowiak, he enrolled at the State Higher School of Fine Arts, where he studied under Professor Stanisław Dawski at the Faculty of Ceramics and Glass. He completed his studies in 1959, and as his diploma thesis he made a set of utility dishes at the 'Sudety' Glassworks.
In the same year he took up a job at 'Sudety'. Zbigniew Horbowy was the designer and manager of the Design Centre at the glassworks. The year 1975 brought new opportunities for the artist in the form of 'Barbara' Artistic Glassworks, established on his own initiative, where he took over as artistic director and was able to run a design studio where he experimented not only with form, but also with matter itself.
Cup success
Horbowy's most famous project became his glasses. The artist's glasses captivated primarily by their form – suspended on a slender leg, the thin bowls captivated with their sublime simplicity and elegance. However, form was not the only factor influencing the aesthetics of the glasses – the colour of the glass played an extremely important role. Vibrant, deep colours emphasized the unique character of the glass. The glasses were extremely popular already in the times of the People's Republic of Poland – they quickly disappeared from the shelves of shops, which was a great rarity at that time.
In our auction, we have the pleasure of presenting you with two goblets designed by Zbigniew Horbowy from the 'Barbara' Artistic Glassworks. The proposed objects delight with their full, rich colour and interesting form. The goblets will certainly make an exciting addition to our offer, and perhaps also to your collection, which we warmly encourage you to do. We invite you to bid!
