Handblown Glass Vases ‘5 Band’ by Michael Trimpol

These Incalmo handblown glass vases are made using the difficult-to-master Incalmo technique, an ancient traditional Venetian glass blowing technique that only the best glass masters can manage.

These pieces are ‘5 band’ which are even harder to make than the more common three bands and require the fusing together of 5 handblown bubbles that are all exactly the same size and shape.

Once the bubbles are handblown, they are then stacked together to make the ‘plant-like grafting’ of the Incamlo technique, with each one being fused onto the next one.

Each one is signed and dated by the designer, Monique LaJeunesse.

N.B. The images shown are an example of the ones in the series. Each piece is hand-blown and therefore there will be small variations in colour and pattern. Each one is completely unique and signed by the artist.

Handblown Glass Vases – Artist

Michael Trimpol glass is our first American artist. We are delighted to be able to bring his art glass vases here to the UK.

Michael was born and raised in Philadelphia. He first learnt about glassworking when he took a stained glass course in Vermont.

He started pursuing a career in stained glass and studied at Concordia University in Montreal before becoming frustrated with the two-dimensional nature of stained glass and moved into glassblowing, taking a course at Sheridan College School of Craft & Design in Mississauga, Ontario, where he graduated in 1985.

After graduation he took up residency at one of Toronto’s most popular tourist destinations; Harbourfront Craft Studios, before setting up his own company in 1989 Hot Glass Inc. He relocated to Stowe in Vermont to continue to develop his range of blown glass products. From there he designs and produces a diverse array of art glass products.

He currently designs and manufactures a diverse body of products in addition to overseeing the operations of the studio.

Artist’s Statement

“Of the many media and processes that can be used to create art, I have always been attracted to glass and its potential. I initially worked with stained glass.

However, I soon became drawn to the dynamic nature of the blowing process which seemed to suit both my nature and my vision better.

I have a strong preference for objects of a personal scale and with potential utility. A vessel with a lid or stopper has always been of most interest. Colour and pattern are also very important. I like to create either a single pure colour highlighting form or a more complex mixture to create patterns.

I am proud of the final product, but it is the actual process of creation that I find most satisfying.”