Stockholm-based Studio EO has designed a collection of sculptural vases that contrast hand-blown glass containers with wedges of granite, marble and onyx (+ slideshow).
The containers have been created to emphasise the contrast between the fluid shapes of the glass – which contains a small aperture for holding single flowers or small sprigs – and the geometric lines of the vases' stone supports.
The collection features seven designs, including balloon-like vases that appear wedged between pieces of stone, and white and black glass containers that appear to be melting over pink triangular bases.
The contrasting qualities of the materials are further emphasised in a transparent glass vase, which is draped like a deflated balloon across an onyx pyramid and cube.
The studio's founder Erik Olovsson – who previously designed a shelving system that functions like a giant shape-sorter toy – has experimented with stone in several projects, including as the base for a set of clothes rails.
"I am fascinated by the material's weight, geological history and permanence," he told Dezeen. "Marble, granite and onyx are organic materials that nicely work with the graphical forms, because of their hardness and amazing natural patterns and colours."
Marble in particular seems to be experiencing a resurgence in popularity. It has recently been used for tables by Nendo, vases by Moreno Ratti, and in furniture designed by Bethan Gray.
"Personally I'm drawn to the material's weight, pattern and the sculptural values it has," said Olovsson, who's producing the collection of vases as a limited run. The glass elements are being hand-blown in his home town of Stockholm.
"Working with hand-blown glass is interesting because of its indefinite and unpredictable properties," he added. "Since glass is a new material for me to work with it gives an extra element of letting go of control that I like. At the time the glass is solidified in a specific form you've captured a moment of time."