Mid-Century Modern Swung Vase

Today’s Museum Monday treasure from the Museum of American Glass in WV is a massive mid-century modern swung vase from the L. E. Smith Glass Company in their rare and desirable Lilac color. It is 25 ½” high. Lilac was only made for a single year in 1961, discontinued because the factory had difficulty with the formula, which sometimes came out with a brownish tinge. But when the color was true it is a lovely lavender shade. The combination of scarcity and color have made pieces in Lilac highly sought after today.

Our collection also includes a smaller swung vase (15 ½” high) and a swung pitcher vase (16”). Because these pieces were literally “swung” while they were in a molten state, dimensions can vary dramatically. No two swung vases are ever exactly alike. This year’s Mid-Century American Modern Glass College Online will include an overview of swung vases from Smith and many other companies. Please register to join us HERE.