MACCHIA: In 1981, Chihuly began the Macchia or “spotted” series. The richly colored Macchia have contrasting hues on their interiors and exteriors separated by a layer of white glass “clouds” so the inside and outside colours do not blend. A lip wrap of yet another colour highlights the opening of the vessel.
“The Macchia series began with my waking up one day wanting to use all 300 of the colours in the Hotshop. I started by making up a colour chart with one colour for the interior, another colour for the exterior, and a contrasting colour for the lip wrap, along with various jimmies and dusts of pigment between the gathers of the glass. Throughout the blowing process, colours were added, layer upon layer. Each piece was another experiment. When we unloaded the ovens in the morning, there was the rush of seeing something I had never seen before. Like much of my work, the series inspired itself. The unbelievable combinations of colour – that was the driving force.” – Chihuly.
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Fuchsia Macchia with Aquat Lip Wrap, 1994, 30 x 28 x 28 inches -
Shaded Cobalt Macchia with Pale Russet Lip Wrap, 2002, 22 x 30 x 24 inches -
Muted Orange Macchia with Imperial Blue Lip Wrap, 2002, 15 x 19 x 15 inches -
Cerulean Macchia with Yellow Lip Wrap, 1985, 20 x 29 x 24 inches -
Harvest Orange Pheasant Macchia Set with Royal Blue Lip Wraps, 2002, 13 x 27 x 19 inches -
Imperial Green Pheasant Macchia Set with Ruby Lip Wraps, 2002, 10 x 32 x 32 inches -
Rose Lake Pheasant Macchia Set with Royal Blue Lip Wraps, 2001, 15 x 31 x 16 inches
For information on available Macchia forms by Dale Chihuly please contact Diane Farris Gallery at or email
Related Items
- Reflections on Dale Chihuly’s Macchia by Robert Hobbs
- Availalbe Works
- Studio Editions
