Charles Lotton Hornet Green Iridescent Split Leaf Vase (1995)

This rare Charles Lotton Iridescent Hornet Green Split Leaf Vase from 1995 is of museum quality. With proper care, it will be treasured for future generations. When I purchased it from Charles in 1995, he was especially pleased at how the color had turned out, because at the time he was experimenting with iridescent finishes and their reaction to some of his custom-formulated glass batches. I've not seen similar Hornet Green pieces with this type of iridescence, nor the interaction of green / purple / blue iridescent layering.

Charles Gerald Lotton (born October 21, 1935 — passed on September 17, 2021) was a contemporary glass artist and Master of glass making and daring new styles in art glass. As Lotton's legacy and fame grow, his work is increasingly recognized. He has been dubbed the "Tiffany of the late 20th Century" by various collectors and curators.

This piece was made by Charles Lotton in 1995, during one of his most productive and experimental periods of creation. By this time Charles had matured into his own mastery of the craft, and the period of the 1990's is a Golden Age for his creative talent.

A bit about Charles' history: In 1970, Lotton built a small glass studio behind his house in Sauk Village, Illinois. In June 1971, Lotton sold his first glass to C. D. Peacock, a downtown Chicago jeweler.

A chance meeting with Dr. Ed McConnell during a visit to Corning, New York, resulted in an introduction to the renowned Lillian Nassau, the "doyenne" of New York antiques dealers. Nassau was an expert on the works of the Tiffany Studios. She pioneered recognition and appreciation of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles and identified the young and aspiring Charles Lotton as the worthy successor to Louis Comfort Tiffany in the 1970's.

Paul Nassau (Lillian’s son) and Lotton signed an exclusive five-year contract in 1972. Lotton leased a former lumber yard in Lansing, Illinois, to serve as his studio. In 1975, he built a new studio in Lynwood, Illinois, eventually building a glasswork behind his home in Crete, Illinois, in 1982.

By 1977, Lotton had achieved a national reputation and wanted the freedom to sell glass directly to his own distributors. Lotton glass is sold through select retailers like RSB Home, at specialized shows, and of course at the Lotton Studios in Crete, Illinois. Charles Lotton's sons are now masters of their own styles and craft and are accessible through the Internet. Lotton glass is in the collections of major museums such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Corning Museum of Glass, High Museum, and the Smithsonian. His work is collected by an interesting assortment of celebrities, business leaders and collectors across the globe.

The vase weighs about 2 lbs. — and is about 7 inches high. It will be sold with a small stand that we picked up with the purchase long ago. The signed (but difficult to discern photograph) inscription reads "Charles Lotton 1995" in a circular inscription. It is very hard to see on the original photo, but rest assured, the piece is signed.