Early Glass Sculpture Vessel from Tlingit Hat Series by Preston Singletary

Description

A large early glass vessel in the form of a reversed traditional Tlingit Hat by American studio artist Preston Singletary … more A large early glass vessel in the form of a reversed traditional Tlingit Hat by American studio artist Preston Singletary (b. 1963) circa 1998. Based in Seattle and of Tlingit heritage, Singletary is a glass artist who distinguishes himself by infusing traditional Native Indian motifs from Northwest Coast into his contemporary glass work. Hand-blown followed by etching and sandblast, the artist created tribal symbols and motifs on the glass surface that appears ethereal and mysterious, especially under the light. This vessel is called "Frog Hat" from the artist's 'Tlingit Hat' series. It is of a rare apple green color with etched clear and frosted texture and features an image of crouching frog. It is signed and dated on the underside as shown.
Reference: For a similar vessel in the same series, see "Whale Hat:
2019.3.15 in the collection of Seattle Art Musuem.
Further Reading: see "Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass, 2020, Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe, Chambers, Leotta", for an overview of Singletary's artistry and vision: 'Over the past thirty years, Singletary has developed a singular body of work ranging from symbolic pieces that tell the story of his culture to renditions in glass of vessels, boxes, and baskets. Looking at his work collectively, one can see he has created an entire iconography of glass art drawn from Tlingit motifs, but his forms are somewhat abstracted, giving a contemporary feel to his beautiful creations.' p.49. less