Collection Online

Browse by artist name

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
Clutha, propeller vase

Clutha, propeller vase
 (c. 1895)

Medium
glass
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Merv Keehn and Sue Harlow, 2025
Gallery location
18th & 19th Century Decorative Arts & Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
 

About this work

Christopher Dresser began designing glass later in his career, and from 1888 to 1896 produced a range of ornamental vases and tablewares known as ‘clutha’, which were retailed by Liberty & Co. The name ‘clutha’ came from the old Gaelic name for the river Clyde in Glasgow. The Propeller vase was one of Dresser’s most progressive designs, its twisting form based upon his earlier ceramic vase and resembling swirling drapery. This example has aventurine (golden) striations and air bubbles within the glass, emphasising the form of the vase and celebrating its unique manufacturing process, an aspect Dresser was keen to emphasise.

Artwork Details

Medium
glass
Measurements
28.3 × 11.3 cm diameter
Place/s of Execution
Glasgow, Scotland
Accession Number
2025.532
Department
International Decorative Arts
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Merv Keehn and Sue Harlow, 2025
Gallery location
18th & 19th Century Decorative Arts & Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International

Explore the collection

The thinker Auguste RODIN Self-portrait Joseph WRIGHT of Derby Belt buckle (Egyptian scarab) PIEL FRÈRES, Paris (manufacturer) International Exhibition of Arts and Techniques in Modern Life, Paris, medal Pierre TURIN (designer) International Exhibition of Decorative Arts and Modern Industry 1925 Emile-Antoine BOURDELLE Belt buckle (Bust of a woman) PIEL FRÈRES, Paris (manufacturer) Rembrandt REMBRANDT Harmensz. van Rijn; REMBRANDT Harmensz. van Rijn (studio of) Windsor bench (UNITED STATES) (manufacturer) Blind faith HJ Wedge International Exposition of Decorative Arts and Modern Industry, Paris. Christofle and Baccarat Pavilion, postcard FRANCE Dunstanburgh Castle, north-east coast of Northumberland, sunrise after a squally night J. M. W. TURNER EYEGLASS Armchair, from the Post Office Savings Bank, Vienna Otto WAGNER (designer); GEBRÜDER THONET, Vienna (manufacturer) Sideboard, from the Langer apartment Adolf LOOS (designer) SNUFF BOX FLAGON The pioneer Frederick McCUBBIN International Exhibition of Decorative Arts and Modern Industry 1925 Charles LOUPOT Teacup and saucer MINTON, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (manufacturer) Lady Rous née Charlotte Maria Whittaker, second wife of the 6th Baronet, later, Earl of Stradbroke William BEECHEY Spouted pharmacy jar ORAZIO POMPEI WORKSHOP, Castelli (manufacturer) SALVER The Crossing of the Red Sea Nicolas POUSSIN LOCK October Jules BASTIEN-LEPAGE Moses bringing down the Tables of the Law John Rogers HERBERT International Exhibition of Decorative Arts and Modern Industry 1925 André GIRARD Clock garniture MINTON, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (manufacturer); Marc-Louis-Emmanuel SOLON (decorator) STRAINER International Exposition of Arts and Techniques in Modern Life, Paris, box Paul-Marcel DAMMANN (designer)