Opalia vase

Design

Opalia is a vase collection by Patricia Urquiola that leans into contrast: dense, sculpted glass on two sides, set against clean planes of float glass. The profile stays simple, but the surface never does. Bubbles, soft waves, and uneven edges catch light differently from every angle. And that shifting look is the point, not a flaw to smooth out.

The shape reads architectural without feeling strict. The fused glass masses add a sense of weight and depth, while the flat glass keeps the silhouette crisp. In extra-clear glass the form feels brighter and more open. In bronze it turns warmer, with a slightly moodier presence.

Materials & Build

Each vase is made by fusing scraps of glass with special additives, creating irregular glass masses rich in bubbles and undulating texture. Those highly plastic elements are then bonded to sheets of float glass, forming a watertight vessel meant for real use, not just display.

Glasitalia is clear about the nature of the material. The fused glass will show evident irregularities, including structural and chromatic differences. These variations are intrinsic to the process and are not considered defects. But for many interiors, that honest inconsistency is exactly what gives the piece its character.

Comfort in Use

As an object, Opalia is straightforward to live with. It holds water securely and sits with a steady footprint. The glass planes provide a clean visual boundary for stems, while the fused sides add a tactile, dimensional edge. It feels composed even with a single branch.

There is also a quiet rhythm to it. The surfaces repeat and shift, so the vase stays interesting without needing a large arrangement. And it works just as well empty, catching daylight and turning it into softer shadows.

Placement & Lifestyle

Two configurations give it flexibility. OPA01 measures 9.8 inches by 9.8 inches with a height of 16.9 inches. OPA02 measures 13.8 inches by 7.9 inches with a height of 13.8 inches. Both sizes have enough presence for a console, dining table, or a low cabinet where the light can hit the textured sides.

Opalia does not come custom made, so the choice stays focused: size and finish. And because each fused section varies, the vase naturally feels collected rather than sourced, even when placed in a very clean, modern room.

Longevity

This is glass that does not try to look uniform. The bubbles and tonal shifts will not “even out” over time, and they are meant to be seen. It is a piece designed to age visually through changing light and changing surroundings, not through wear.

For clients who appreciate material truth, the Opalia vase from Glasitalia is a lasting addition. It is resilient in presence, a little unpredictable up close, and consistently refined from across the room.