Coil 48 Objects shown in amber

One of the things that we love about molten glass is that it seems to have a mind of its own. Trapping a kinetic moment in time by cooling and shaping offers so many opportunities for expression. One of our favorite shapes that leans into the mercurial nature of glass is the simple tube, a hollow length of glass that is round in section. A tube of glass begins as a sphere because it is hollow and has a continuous hole through it. To achieve this, air must be blown into the shape at its inception. Then, in a careful and skilled process, our glassblowers stretch this sphere into a long thin tube. The simple act of creating a tube versus a solid rod of glass introduces a wealth of possibilities including an expanded range of ways to bring colors to the glass, and we love color at SkLO. "It's the unpredictability of this shape that is so beautiful," says Karen Gilbert, Partner and Lead Designer. "It captures a human gesture in the glass and holds it there to be shared."

Here are a few of our designs that explore the amazing potential of the deceptively simple glass tube, a technically challenging, seductive shape.

Wrap Object shown in celadon; Styling by Studio Salaris; Photo by Beppe Brancato

WRAPS

Our classic Wrap Object is our earliest coil creation. It has been a perennial in our line from the beginning. Each SkLO Wrap Object is a continuous wound length of handblown Czech glass and no two are exactly alike. The Wrap Object presents a distinct opportunity to display the beauty and immediacy of glassblowing since the dimensions always vary subtly—by nature and intent.

Large Wrap Object shown in white

Our Wrap Object is available in two sizes. The standard Wrap Object is produced by a glassblower in a single, fluid movement that demonstrates remarkable skill. The Large Wrap requires a team of multiple glassblowers and is made from a single glass tube almost two meters in length, the longest possible.

Wrap Pendant shown in white glass with brushed brass hardware and gold cord; Interior Design by EDG; Photo by David Duncan Livingston

With the success of our Wrap Object, we adapted this glass component into multiple lighting fixtures in our Light Collection. The Wrap Pendant presents a Large Wrap suspended on knotted fabric-wrapped cord, with a light bulb nestled into the void at the center of the Wrap. The Wrap Pin Pendants use a ribbon of solid brass bar to hang a Large Wrap, and allow a separate fabric cord to add a light bulb to the center of the wrap in the same fashion.

Wrap Pin 1.09 Pendant shown in amber glass with brushed brass hardware and gold fabric cord; Interior Design by Batiik Studio; Photo by Alice Mesguich

COILS

When we were prototyping the Coils for our very first collection nearly 20 years ago, we were literally winding glass tubes around long wooden pieces of tree trunks. While we still use a wooden form to produce these sculptures today, we have carefully chosen specific sizes for our production. After the glass tube is wrapped around the form the glass is pulled off of the wood and sculpted on the pipe to finalize each unique organic form. The wood often lights on fire.

Coil Objects come in two different sizes: The smaller Coil 32, and the larger Coil 48. Each are sold in sets with or without steel table stands. The Coil 48 is not only 4 feet long, but it is also approximately 10 inches across. They are heavy and challenging to produce, truly pushing the boundaries of scale in glassblowing. 

Coil 32 Objects shown in steel blue in a set of 3

Coil 48 Objects shown in amber glass in a set of 3 with a steel table stand

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Making Of 

"The Pillow Series of our Light Collection grew directly from experiments in combining not just glass colors, but also glass finishes. The contrast between frosted and smooth glass finishes accentuates the two-tone colorplay of the idea. They are so sculptural, so fun, I am completely enamored with them."

- Karen Gilbert, Partner & Lead Designer