Ancient Rings #77

Jim Scheller

Ancient Rings #77, 2025

This kiln-formed glass vessel is a captivating exploration of form, texture, and light. Composed of thousands of meticulously cut glass elements, it features a canvas of ivory rings holding a flowing composition of soft blue, ivory, and warm yellow. Vibrant green and amber circular inlays punctuate the design, drawing the eye and adding depth to the piece.

The interplay of transparency and opacity enhances the vessel’s complexity, with translucent areas coming alive as light filters through, casting subtle reflections and shadows. The carefully arranged glass elements create a rhythmic flow, evoking a sense of movement and transformation.

More than a vessel, Ancient Rings 77 tells a story of continuity and change, capturing the delicate balance between structure and fluidity. Its intricate patterns and luminous quality invite contemplation, offering a visual dialogue between precision, motion, and the organic rhythms of time.

The pieces are fused at 1490F to form a flat disk and then slumped in a 1175F kiln three times in ceramic molds of increasing depth. As the hot, soft glass begins to drop the molds are adjusted by hand to ensure the proper shape. The matte finished opaque and transparent body is topped with a polished lip. 

6 x 10 x 10 inches