Dümler & Breiden Relief 52/30, “Juwel” decor, 1972

Apologies to Taylor Swift fans, but her line from “Snow On The Beach” encapsulates this vase perfectly. First of all, it is COLORFUL. Yes, all caps. I defy you to find a single, mass-produced product which dares to be as bold as this is (not even Jonathan Adler would go so far). Second, it is weird — not “ick” weird, but that harmless 1970s “I just got back from the ashram in India and I am stoned on mushrooms in my bedroom while listening to Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon” weird. Third, the vase is… alive? The surface comprising most of the body is this uneven, undulating texture which seems to pulse with energy, while the flower (?) in the center appears to move on its own accord under changing light as its petals stretch slightly away from the vase toward you. Topped off with what I can only call brass knuckles for handles, it is a festival of strangeness which shocks… repels… intrigues… then, finally, attracts. It is a reminder of how fearless we once were, as producers and consumers — unafraid to expand our definition of beauty outside of the normal boundaries. For that reason alone, I am happy to have such a weird but f**** beautiful vase in my collection.