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Persians

Salmon Blue Persian Set with Naples Yellow Lip Wraps, 2001, 18 x 35 x 40"  Inquire

Poetic, experimental forms

First exhibited in 1986 as part of his exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Palais du Louvre in Paris, Chihuly’s Persians are an exploration of form, light, and color—a celebration of wild asymmetry and swirling patterns.

Dale Chihuly, Midnight Blue Persian Set with Aqua Lip Wraps, 1992

Midnight Blue Persian Set with Aqua Lip Wraps, 1992, 12 x 24 x 24"
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Dale Chihuly, White and Viridian Persian Set, 2014

White and Viridian Persian Set, 2014, 9 x 20 x 14"
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Dale Chihuly, Adamia Purple Persian Set with Golden Glow Lip Wraps, 2000

Adamia Purple Persian Set with Golden Glow Lip Wraps, 2000, 14 x 23 x 17"
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Dale Chihuly, Citrine Persian Set with Indigo Lip Wraps, 2015

Citrine Persian Set with Indigo Lip Wraps, 2015, 10 x 16 x 12"
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Dale Chihuly, Red Ember Persian Set with Ultramarine Lip Wraps, 2015

Red Ember Persian Set with Ultramarine Lip Wraps, 2015, 17 x 28 x 26"
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SEE THE PROCESS

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Elemental Chihuly

Persians have become an essential component of Chihuly’s increasingly dramatic installations. They are mounted onto walls, windows and ceilings—even placed along the bottom of Chihuly’s swimming pool. As seen in this sketch, they are the stars of his permanent installation at Tacoma’s Union Station.

Union Station Drawing, 1993 by Dale Chihuly

Union Station Drawing, 1993, 22 x 30"

Monarch Window, 1994, by Dale Chihuly

Monarch Window, 1994, 22 x 40 x 3', Union Station, Tacoma, Washington

Molten glass shaped by optic mold, The Boathouse hotshop, Seattle, 1995

Spellbinding patterns

The use of ribbed optic molds is essential to the aesthetic of Persians. Molten glass, ringed by linear wraps, is plunged into these molds to create repetitive patterns. When blown out, the bubbles are transformed into swirling, irregularly shaped rondels with fascinating detail.

Dale Chihuly, King's Yellow Persian Set with Onyx Lip Wraps, 2014

King's Yellow Persian Set with Onyx Lip Wraps, 2014, 14 x 27 x 28"
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Dale Chihuly, Copen Blue Persian Set with Crimson Lip Wraps, 2016

Copen Blue Persian Set with Crimson Lip Wraps, 2016, 9 x 22 x 18"
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“The Persians started out as a search for forms. We worked for a year on doing only experimental Persians....we made at least a thousand or more.”

–CHIHULY

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