Not currently on display at the V&A

Isotta

Bowl
1987 (designed), ca. 1989 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The bowl was made through close collaboration with Czech glass artists René Roubíček (Šípek’s stepfather) and Petr Novotný, based in Novy Bor. Borek Šípek had worked with Novotny since 1983, and has maintained a strong interest in glass since, even taking ownership of a factory to make his designs.

Isotta, the title given to the bowl, is the Italian name for Isolde or Iseult, lover of Tristan in Celtic legend.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleIsotta (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Glass
Brief description
Bowl, 'Isotta', clear colourless glass with applied polychrome glass 'leaves', designed by Bořek Šípek, Czech Republic, 1987, made 1989
Physical description
Bowl, round, clear colourless glass with applied polychrome glass 'leaves' that act as feet upon which the bowl asymmetrically sits.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 28cm
  • Height: 19cm (when bowl resting asymmetrically)
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Unmarked
Credit line
Purchase funded by the Friends of the V&A
Object history
Isotta, the title given to the bowl, is the Italian name for Isolde or Iseult, lover of Tristan in Celtic legend.

Formerly in an anonymous private collection in San Jose, California, together with the Odette bowl (Museum no. C.51:1,2-2011).
Production
Commissioned by the Italian 'design editing' firm, Driade SpA. According to the vendor, this example is an early production piece dating from around 1989.

The bowl was made through close collaboration with Czech glass artists René Roubíček (Šípek’s stepfather) and Petr Novotný, based in Novy Bor. Borek Šípek had worked with Novotny since 1983, and has maintained a strong interest in glass since, even taking ownership of a factory to make his designs.
Summary
The bowl was made through close collaboration with Czech glass artists René Roubíček (Šípek’s stepfather) and Petr Novotný, based in Novy Bor. Borek Šípek had worked with Novotny since 1983, and has maintained a strong interest in glass since, even taking ownership of a factory to make his designs.

Isotta, the title given to the bowl, is the Italian name for Isolde or Iseult, lover of Tristan in Celtic legend.
Bibliographic references
  • Titus Eliens, Borek Šípek: Glas Design Arcvhitectuur (Assen: Drents Museum, 2006)
  • Philippe Louguet and Dagmar Sedlicka, Borek Šípek (Paris: Editions Dis Voir, 1999)
Collection
Accession number
C.52-2011

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Record createdJuly 12, 2011
Record URL
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