Art Deco Glass from the David Huchthausen Collection

October 8, 2016 – August 13, 2017

Exhibition Overview

From October 8, 2016 to August 13, 2017, Museum of Glass visitors had the opportunity to explore Art Deco works in glass from the collection of artist David Huchthausen. Art Deco Glass from the Huchthausen Collection included early Twentieth century glass by iconic Art Deco studios such as René Lalique, Daum Frères, Pierre d’Avesn, Charles Schneider, Muller Frères, Marius-Ernest Sabino, Steuben Glass Works, and many others.

Huchthausen’s interest in collecting began in his youth with items such as stamps, coins, and baseball cards. His studies and subsequent career as an artist later shaped his fascination with the Art Deco period, resulting in his growing glass collection.

“I was studying architecture in college and was particularly interested in the effects of light transmission on the interior spaces of structures,” noted Huchthausen. “It provided a natural expansion of my interests into the world of antique glass.”

Characterized by smooth lines, geometric shapes, and bright colors, the Art Deco glass movement began, in part, as a reaction against the elaborate and ornate style of Art Nouveau in the late 19th century. Economic austerity generated by World War I launched Art Deco into popularity, with artists, designers, and architects throughout the world adopting the style. Although Art Deco fell out of fashion following World War II, the style regained its popularity in the 1970s.

Huchthausen began actively collecting pieces from the Art Deco period in the early 1970s, starting with powder boxes. In 1973, Huchthausen acquired his first major work of art, a piece from the Le Verre Francais line designed by Charles Schneider, leading to the purchase of 20 more significant Art Deco works in glass over the next four years. Huchthausen’s collection continued to grow during the 1980’s and accelerated following his move to Seattle in 1989.

Art Deco Glass from the Huchthausen Collection included over 200 pieces from his personal collection, which is now composed of over 300 works of Art Deco glass, much of it by European designers. The exhibition was accompanied by a fully illustrated catalog with essays by esteemed German scholar Helmut Ricke and independent curator William Warmus.

Featured Images

Marius-Ernest Sabino (French, 1878–1961). Groupe de Pantheres (Group of Panthers), circa 1928-1938. Press-molded opal glass; 5 3/4 x 8 x 3 in. Collection of David Huchthausen. Photo by Llyod Shugart.

René Lalique (French, 1860–1945). Vase Bacchantes (Bacchantes Vase). Press-molded opal glass; 9 1/2 x 8 3/4 in. Collection of David Huchthausen. Photo by Llyod Shugart.

Charles Schneider (French, 1881–1953) for Verreries Schneider (French, 1913–1981). Pichet Spirale (Spiral Pitcher) from Le Verre Français line, circa 1919-1923. Mold-blown glass with interior and exterior crushed and powdered glass frits and sin

Image Credits

Photo by Duncan Price.
Marius-Ernest Sabino (French, 1878–1961). Groupe de Pantheres (Group of Panthers), circa 1928-1938. Press-molded opal glass; 5 3/4 x 8 x 3 in. Collection of David Huchthausen. Photo by Llyod Shugart.
Photo by Duncan Price.
René Lalique (French, 1860–1945). Vase Bacchantes (Bacchantes Vase). Press-molded opal glass; 9 1/2 x 8 3/4 in. Collection of David Huchthausen. Photo by Llyod Shugart.
Charles Schneider (French, 1881–1953) for Verreries Schneider (French, 1913–1981). Pichet Spirale (Spiral Pitcher) from Le Verre Français line, circa 1919-1923. Mold-blown glass with interior and exterior crushed and powdered glass frits and single surface acid cutting; 12 1/2 x 7 3/4 in. Collection of David Huchthausen. Photo by Llyod Shugart.
Muller Freres (French, 1895–1936). Vase with panther design, circa 1925-1929. Mold-blown glass with interior silver-foil inclusions and surface etching; 9 3/4 x 7 5/8 in. Collection of David Huchthausen. Photo by Llyod Shugart.