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The speciality of the two artists are heavy glass objects which are made using the so-called "Graal" technique,
a technique which was first developed in 1917 at "Orrefors" by Simon Gate and Edward Hald and which is considered
the successor to the "Gallé" technique.
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Arthur Zirnsack and Hanne Dreutler
Dreams made of glass for his Majesty the King
If there is such a thing as the "perfect couple" and if such a couple has succeeded in making their dreams come true -
both personal and professional - then Arthur Zirnsack and Hanne Dreutler have to be top contenders. The couple have been together for more than a quarter of a century; 25 years in which they have brought up two sons and founded
their own Studio Glashyttan Ahus on the south coast of Sweden. Arthur Zirnsack has been working as a glass-blower since he was 13, and over
the years has honed his craft - from drawing board to finished product - to perfection in a variety of studios in Germany,
Switzerland and Sweden. After training as a silversmith and industrial designer for 6 years at art colleges in Basle and Bonn, Hanne
Dreutler brought artistic expertise to the partnership. The result of this perfect constellation are dreams in lead crystal
with a highly distinctive expressiveness. Such is the renown of their skills that the King of Sweden appointed them as official
purveyors to the court in 1993.
More Pictures
In this context
VIRTUOSO CRAFTMANSHIP:
Wood/Metal here.
Glass here.
Fabrics/Leather here.
Painting/Photography here.
Please also take a look at our EXCLUSIVE-LIFE-SHOP and find some very exclusive accessories and distinctive works of table art.
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The procedure is time-consuming and very difficult. A one-off piece like this Graal object Palmette, or the Crystal Drop (weighing 1400 g) shown above takes great expertise to make.
Two balloons are blown at the same time, one of clear glass and the second of coloured glass, with one or several layers of colour on top of each other.
Zirnsack then blows the clear glass over the coloured glass.
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Once it has cooled, the piece of raw glass lands in the artistic hands of Hanne Dreutler for shaping and finishing.
Sanding down through the various layers right down to the clear crystal, she brings out the desired motif by grinding,
etching or sandblasting. Her designs are inspired by life, people, nature and the sea in particular.
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The glass then returns to the master craftsman Zirnsack. It is heated for 6-15 hours at 490° and is then covered
with the final layers of clear glass. The motif is now inside the invaluable 2300-gram work of art and it is reflected in the
thick glass walls (shown here: Words of Wisdom). The effect is that of great plasticity.
A new dream has been given life. A unique glass object - hand-signed by both artists with the sign of the eternal cross of making the
"Graal" - is ready to find a home with the King of Sweden, in a museum or a private collector.
Text: Corinna Keller
Photos: Studio Glashyttan
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