A rare and exceptional sculptural glass vase by Alberto Churba for Cristalería Querandí, crafted in 1975 at the height of the studio’s creative innovation in Buenos Aires. Executed in richly pigmented deep red glass, so saturated it appears nearly black under most lighting, the piece embodies the bold experimentation that defines South American studio glass in the 1970s.
This striking form was created using Churba’s signature “blown-inside-a-tree-trunk” technique, a bold and organic process in which molten glass is inflated within the hollow of natural wood. The resulting surface is uniquely tactile and raw, bearing the imprint of the tree's grain, while the upper portion is carefully hand-shaped and polished. Each piece created with this method is one of a kind.
Period: 1975
Signed/Maker: Querandí 863/75 (Alberto Churba for Cristalería Querandí)
Origin: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Size Classification: Large, table size
Approximate Dimensions: Height 11"; Base 5 x 4 1/2"; Weight 14 lb. 14 oz.
Decoration: Brutalist, organic
Colors: Red
Condition: Excellent, as shown in the images. No chips, cracks, or repairs. Minor signs of shelf wear on the base. Retains original label.
This example stands an impressive 11 inches tall, substantially larger than any other documented piece of its kind, giving it an uncommon presence and vertical elegance. The base is fully signed “6863/75” and retains its original “Wright Soc. Anon.” foil label, referring to the Argentine distributor responsible for Querandí’s highest-quality works. (“Sociedad Anónima” is equivalent to a limited corporation.)
Churba’s legacy is currently celebrated in Diseño Infinito, the first major retrospective of his work at the Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo in Buenos Aires (July 11 to October 12, 2025). The exhibition highlights his groundbreaking contributions across furniture, textiles, and glass, including rare collaborations with Cristalería Querandí. His work is held in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, affirming his impact on international modern design.
This vase is a historical artifact from a pivotal era in Latin American design, when figures like Churba and Hubertus Ullmann transformed modernism through innovative materials and sculptural forms.
An ideal acquisition for collectors of mid-century Latin American design, studio glass, or organic brutalism. Its rare scale and sculptural presence make it a commanding statement piece for interiors that embrace modernist restraint, natural materials, or the subtle drama of a Wabi-Sabi aesthetic.
Please note that a signature will be required at delivery, and we do not ship to freight forward addresses. Thank you.
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