Bertil Vallien (Born 1938) Swedish, Spinn Art Glass Vase for Kosta Boda. Clear with a black downward swirl pattern with a large protruding starting point at the top of the vase. Signed on underside. 

Size: 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 9 in. 

Erik Bertil Vallien (née Wallin) was born January 17th, 1938 in Sollentuna, just north of Stockholm, Sweden, the son of preacher and painter Nils Wallin (1911-1987) who introduced him to art at a young age. He worked as a decorator at the PUB department store and as an apprentice painter at his fathers company, becoming adept at painting in his teens before entering the art school Konstfack in 1956, where he found his calling in sculpture, working with both ceramics and art glass. After graduating in 1961 he traveled to California to study further at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and was part of several exhibitions during this period. Erik returned to Sweden after meeting fellow artist Ulrica Hydman Vallien in 1963, and married her that same year, taking her last name to separate himself from his father’s legacy. He began working for Kosta Boda Glassworks and was one of their primary designers for the next fifty years. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Växjö University in 1988, and many of his works are found in museums throughout Sweden, but after the death of his wife in 2018 he retired completely from making art, although he continues to mentor aspiring artists. 

All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.