Higgins: Poetry in Glass

Name: Higgins: Poetry in Glass
Price: 60.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Johnson, Donald-Brian; , Pina, Leslie
ISBN: 9780764321719

✍️ Johnson, Donald-Brian; , Pina, Leslie

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60 $

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Mid-century modern glass: a vibrant fusion of art and everyday utility.

Unearth the dazzling legacy of Higgins Glass, where mid-20th century artistry met everyday function. This comprehensive volume celebrates the pioneering fused glass creations of Frances and Michael Higgins, whose innovative designs transformed ordinary household items into striking works of art. Discover their distinctive blend of geometric precision and organic flow, vibrant colors, and practical elegance. Featuring over 750 vivid photographs, including never-before-seen pieces and promotional materials, the book offers an intimate look into the studio's creative process. Insights from Frances Higgins herself illuminate the enduring appeal and artistic evolution of these iconic pieces, complete with current market valuations.

Key themes

{'title': 'Mid-Century Modern Aesthetics', 'body': "Explores how Higgins glass embodies the spirit of 1950s and 60s design, characterized by its clean lines, bold colors, and functionalist approach. It delves into the studio's unique contribution to an era fascinated with innovative materials and streamlined forms, making high art accessible for daily living and transforming common objects into design statements."} {'title': 'Fused Glass Craftsmanship', 'body': "This section illuminates the intricate techniques behind the Higgins' distinctive fused glass creations. It details the process of combining layers of glass to achieve their signature geometric and fluid patterns, showcasing how the artists pushed the boundaries of this medium. The book reveals the technical mastery required to produce such vibrant and durable art."} {'title': 'Functional Art & Legacy', 'body': 'Discusses the philosophy of creating beautiful objects that also serve a practical purpose, such as cakestands and candleholders. It examines the enduring appeal of Higgins glass to collectors today, analyzing its market value and cultural significance. The book highlights how these pieces transcend mere utility to become cherished artifacts of a specific artistic period.'}

In stock

🏛 Schiffer Publishing 📅 2004 📖 240 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9780764321719

Fun fact

This volume stands as the definitive exploration of Higgins glass, offering an unparalleled visual feast combined with deeply personal insights into the studio's creative legacy. Its comprehensive coverage and stunning photography make it indispensable for collectors and design enthusiasts alike. While not a purely academic treatise on glass theory, its rich narrative and practical value solidify its place as a cornerstone reference for mid-century modern craft.

📝 Description: Higgins: Poetry in Glass

The marvelous fused glassware of the Higgins Glass Studio first captivated buyers in the 1950s and 1960s, and continues to delight collectors today. With its arresting mix of geometric and curved lines, and bold use of colors, Higgins glass transformed ordinary table and giftware, from chip bowls and cakestands to candleholders and cigarette boxes, into something vibrant and exciting. Useful as well as attractive, the designs of artists Frances and Michael Higgins harnessed vivid imagination to innate practicality. Over 750 color and vintage photos feature hundreds of pieces not shown before. Newly discovered promotional photos, original designs, and advertising materials and extensive commentary by Frances Higgins and other Studio personnel highlight the informative, entertaining text. A personal view of the creation of Higgins glass is presented. The Studio today showcases talent that continues to build on the Higgins tradition. Current price estimates are also included. The result is a work destined to appeal to all with an interest in design and crafts of the mid-20th century.

⭐ Reader reviews

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⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.8/5

★★★★★

If you're captivated by the innovative spirit of mid-century design, cherish unique handcrafted objects, or seek to deepen your appreciation for functional art, this meticulously curated volume is an essential addition to your library. Collectors of fine glass will find invaluable insights and…

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❓ Frequently asked questions

Not at all! While it offers detailed insights valuable to seasoned collectors, its rich visual content and engaging narrative make it equally appealing to anyone interested in design history, craft, or the art of the mid-20th century.

Yes, the book provides a glimpse into the contemporary Higgins Studio, showcasing how their artistic legacy continues to evolve and inspire new generations of glass artists, building upon the foundational techniques and aesthetic principles.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Mid-Century Modern Aesthetics

Explores how Higgins glass embodies the spirit of 1950s and 60s design, characterized by its clean lines, bold colors, and functionalist approach. It delves into the studio's unique contribution to an era fascinated with innovative materials and streamlined forms, making high art accessible for daily living and transforming common objects into design statements.

Fused Glass Craftsmanship

This section illuminates the intricate techniques behind the Higgins' distinctive fused glass creations. It details the process of combining layers of glass to achieve their signature geometric and fluid patterns, showcasing how the artists pushed the boundaries of this medium. The book reveals the technical mastery required to produce such vibrant and durable art.

Functional Art & Legacy

Discusses the philosophy of creating beautiful objects that also serve a practical purpose, such as cakestands and candleholders. It examines the enduring appeal of Higgins glass to collectors today, analyzing its market value and cultural significance. The book highlights how these pieces transcend mere utility to become cherished artifacts of a specific artistic period.

💬 Quotes from the book

«Our aim was always to elevate the everyday, to infuse utility with a spark of joy through color and form. A simple chip bowl could be a canvas.»

«The dance between geometry and fluidity in glass isn't just aesthetic; it’s a dialogue with light itself, constantly shifting, always revealing something new.»

📜 Historical context

Emerging in the post-war era of optimism and innovation, Higgins glass perfectly captured the zeitgeist of mid-century modernism. Their work contributed significantly to a broader movement integrating art into daily life, challenging traditional boundaries between fine art and craft. This period saw renewed interest in artisanal techniques alongside industrial design, a synthesis the Higgins' studio masterfully achieved, influencing subsequent glass artists.

📚 Glossary

Fused Glass
Mid-Century Modern
Art Glass

📔 Questions to reflect on

What everyday object in your home could be transformed into a piece of art, and how?
How do the principles of mid-century modern design still influence contemporary aesthetics?
Consider the balance between form and function in the art you admire. Which aspect do you value more, and why?