Object Timeline

-0001

1970

1985

  • Work on this object began.

1986

  • We acquired this object.

2008

2014

2025

Sculptural Vessel Vessel

This is a vessel. It was designed by Toots Zynsky. It is dated 1985 and we acquired it in 1986. Its medium is glass threads. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.


Created by layering and slumping glass threads made individually by the artist, Mary Ann "Toots" Zynsky’s bowl is texturally and colorfully rich. This particular example includes iridescent black, scarlet, pale and medium green and mauve with an interior layered with red.

This object was donated by Thonet Industries, Inc., U.S.A., James M. Osborn, Max B. Furman, Mrs. Max B. Furman, Carol B. Brener, Mrs. John Innes Kane and Stephen W. Brener. It is credited Museum purchase through gift of Anonymous Donor, Carol B. Brener and Stephen W. Brener, Mr. and Mrs. Max B. Furman, Mrs. John Innes Kane, James M. Osborn, and Thonet Industries, Inc..

  • Bowl (USA)
  • painted and glazed earthenware.
  • Gift of Marcia and William Goodman.
  • 1984-84-34
  • Sculptural Vessel Vessel
  • glass threads.
  • Museum purchase through gift of Anonymous Donor, Carol B. Brener and Stephen....
  • 1986-20-2

Our curators have highlighted 14 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Rock crystal style Flower Bowl
  • mouth-blown glass, exact shape cut, half-polished surface cutting.
  • Museum purchase through gift of Dale and Doug Anderson, Anonymous Donor,....
  • 2009-18-65
  • Bowl (France)
  • glass.
  • Museum purchase through gift of Jacques Séligmann.
  • 1969-22-1

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 14 x 29.2 x 31.8 cm (5 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 12 1/2 in.)

It has the following markings

Maker's mark "Z" applied with glass thread at center of underside.

Cite this object as

Sculptural Vessel Vessel; Designed by Toots Zynsky (American, b. 1951); Netherlands; glass threads; H x W x D: 14 x 29.2 x 31.8 cm (5 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 12 1/2 in.); Museum purchase through gift of Anonymous Donor, Carol B. Brener and Stephen W. Brener, Mr. and Mrs. Max B. Furman, Mrs. John Innes Kane, James M. Osborn, and Thonet Industries, Inc.; 1986-20-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibitions Making Design and Rococo: The Continuing Curve 1730-2008.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18620591/ |title=Sculptural Vessel Vessel |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=23 April 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>