designed by Jerzy SLUCZAN-ORKUSZ (1924-2002), Braided vase, Cracow Glass Institute

Hand-colored, hand-molded glass; height 25.8 cm
Institute of Glass and Ceramics in Cracow; 1970s.

Jerzy SŁUCZAN-ORKUSZ (1924-2002)
Beginning in 1948, he studied at the State Higher School of Fine Arts in Wroclaw, receiving his diploma with a specialization in glass in 1953.
After receiving his diploma, he began working as a designer at the "Józefina" glassworks (since 1966 the "Julia" Crystal Glassworks) in Piechowice. In 1953, he established a modeling center at the glassworks. He worked in Piechowice until 1957.
From 1957 to 1959, he ran the glass studio at the Wrocław Visual Arts Studio. In 1959, he became the head of the calibration center at the "Nysa" glassworks in Pieńsk, the only glassworks in Poland at the time to produce lighting glass. He used his experience in working on lighting glass after leaving "Nysa" in 1964, while working at the "Lumen" Work Cooperative in Poznań and at the Lighting Equipment Design Plant at the Provincial Technology Center.
In 1968 he was employed at the Cracow branch of the Glass Institute, where he worked until 1981, with a break in 1974-1979, devoted to work at the Branch Design Center at ZHSGiT "Vitropol" in Sosnowiec.
In 1971 Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz presented his designs at the Desy gallery on St. John Street in Cracow. The exhibition was met with such great enthusiasm from visitors and critics that the Institute decided to open a company store on St. Mary's Square.
In 1982-1991 Słuczan-Orkusz served as chief designer of HS INCO "Tarnowiec" in Tarnowiec.
He participated in numerous exhibitions at home and abroad. His works are in the collections of the National Museum in Cracow and the National Museum in Wroclaw.