Studio & Contemporary Glass

What Is Studio Glass? A History of a Modern Art Movement

19 May 2025

Philip Smith

Emerging in the mid-20th century, the Studio Glass movement transformed glass from a material of function and ornament into a powerful medium for artistic expression.

Once the preserve of industrial manufacture, glass found new freedom in the hands of individual artists who shaped, coloured and challenged it in ways never before imagined.

Today, Studio and Contemporary Glass occupies a unique position in the art world, bridging sculpture, design and fine art. And at Lyon & Turnbull, it’s a field we are proud to champion through our dedicated sales and longstanding specialist expertise.

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The Origins of Studio Glass

The movement began in the United States in the 1960s, led by pioneers such as Harvey Littleton and Dominick Labino. Their experimental workshops opened the door to the idea that glass could be blown and manipulated outside of a factory settin by a single artist in a studio. This shift marked a radical departure from centuries of tradition and laid the foundation for a global studio glass movement.

In the UK, artists such as Sam Herman, a student of Littleton, played a vital role in establishing studio glass as an art form in its own right. As founder of the Glasshouse in London in the early 1970s, Herman mentored a generation of artists and helped define the British Studio Glass identity: one rooted in expressive form, bold colour, and sculptural ambition.

Pioneers of Studio & Contemporary Glass

Italian 1934 –

Swedish 1873-1953

Finnish 1909 - 1948

American 1936-2020

An Expanding Field

Over the decades, Studio Glass has evolved into a richly diverse international field. In Scandinavia, figures like Timo Sarpaneva and Tapio Wirkkala explored purity of form and texture. In Britain, artists such as Peter Layton, Colin Reid and Alison Kinnaird have continued to push the material’s possibilities, from free-blown vessels to cast glass sculptures and intricate engraved pieces.

Studio Glass today is often interdisciplinary, drawing on design, performance, and conceptual art. It speaks of fragility and strength, light and shadow, transparency and depth. Whether abstract or figurative, monumental or intimate, each piece is a unique encounter between artist, material, and fire.

Collecting Studio & Contemporary Glass at Auction

Collectors are increasingly recognising the value and significance of studio glass. At Lyon & Turnbull, we have seen strong results for important works by key figures such as Herman, Reid, and Kinnaird, as well as international names including Dale Chihuly and Václav Cigler.

The appeal lies not only in the aesthetic power of the works, but also in their rarity and craftsmanship. Each piece tells a story; of innovation, artistry and material mastery.

Department

Studio & Contemporary Glass

A Specialist Approach

Lyon & Turnbull is proud to be one of the few UK auction houses with a dedicated focus on Studio & Contemporary Glass. Our department offers in-depth knowledge, curatorial expertise, and a keen understanding of the market. Whether you are a collector looking to acquire, or considering the sale of a single piece or collection, our specialists are here to guide you.

To learn more or to request a complimentary valuation, please get in touch with our Studio & Contemporary Glass department.

About the Author

Specialist

Philip Smith

Director, London

philip.smith@lyonandturnbull.com

0207 930 9115