Dale Chihuly first established his unique approach to glassblowing while working on one of his earliest series: Baskets. This technique set the tone for the now-familiar asymmetrical Baskets, which are characterized by their delicate, organic shapes and long, trailing wraps. Art historian Linda Norden writes that the Baskets “manifest another kind of Chihuly magic, one that does indeed rely on his exploitation of the material properties of glass. These are forms that truly make us wonder: whether the glass gathers the light or the light gathers as forms.”
The 2013 Cinnabar Basket reveals the elegant simplicity and classic form exemplified in this series. Thin, striated black lines articulate the asymmetry of the spherical vessel, while the burnished red backdrop is accentuated by a constellation of black and yellow spots. Combined, these characteristics bring a balance of form that is both inviting and expressive.
This handblown Studio Edition measures approximately six inches in height and is signed by Chihuly. Presented in a Plexiglas display case, the ensemble is accompanied by a Chihuly Workshop publication, Chihuly Baskets. This 164-page monograph further explores the fascinating series with two essays and seventy-three beautiful photographs.
Inspired, colorful, and elegant, the Cinnabar Basket captures the definitive essence of the Basket series.