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- 'Han Blue Moon'
'Han Blue Moon'
'Han Blue Moon'
An ancient blue, reimagined in glass
I’ve always been fascinated by the stories held within the materials we use as artists, and Han Blue is a particularly extraordinary one.
This piece began with a pigment that has its origins in ancient China. Han Blue is known to have been used in China more than 2,000 years ago. It has been found on ancient ceramics, wall paintings, metalwork and other archaeological objects, with examples dating back to the Warring States and Han periods.
Despite its name, Han Blue actually predates the Han dynasty itself, with evidence of these pigments being used in China as early as the Western Zhou period.
For me, there is something quite magical about taking a material with such an ancient history and using it in a completely contemporary way.
I’ve used Han Blue to create this circular piece, building up layer upon layer of pigment, paint and texture across the reverse of the glass. Rather than depicting a literal moon, I wanted to capture the feeling of one — its surface, atmosphere and sense of distance.
The pigment has a wonderful depth to it. As you move closer, the surface reveals tiny variations, flecks and marks within the blue, while from further away the artwork becomes quieter and more atmospheric.
The circular form naturally lends itself to the idea of the moon, but it also creates a sense of something suspended in space — a small fragment of an ancient colour brought into the present.
As with all of my work, Han Blue Moon is created entirely by hand in my studio using the heritage craft of Verre-églomisé — painting and gilding onto the reverse of glass.
Working from the back means that every layer has to be considered in reverse. The marks that I make first are the ones that will eventually sit at the front of the finished artwork, creating a depth and richness that changes as the light moves across the surface.
There is something particularly beautiful about using an ancient pigment within such a historic glass-working technique, while creating something that is unmistakably contemporary.
Han Blue Moon is an exploration of colour, material, history and light — an ancient blue given a new life on glass.
Artwork details
Diameter: 650mm
Weight: 8kg
Glass: 6mm toughened, polished-edge glass
Finish: Reverse-painted with Han Blue pigment, pearl mica and gilded with silver leaf
Hanging: Invisible floating frame
UK delivery: Secure shipping within the UK is included in the price.
Worldwide delivery: Please contact the studio for a delivery quote.
Interested in this piece?
Please get in touch if you'd like any further information about Han Blue Moon or would like to discuss delivery.
An ancient blue, reimagined in glass
I’ve always been fascinated by the stories held within the materials we use as artists, and Han Blue is a particularly extraordinary one.
This piece began with a pigment that has its origins in ancient China. Han Blue is known to have been used in China more than 2,000 years ago. It has been found on ancient ceramics, wall paintings, metalwork and other archaeological objects, with examples dating back to the Warring States and Han periods.
Despite its name, Han Blue actually predates the Han dynasty itself, with evidence of these pigments being used in China as early as the Western Zhou period.
For me, there is something quite magical about taking a material with such an ancient history and using it in a completely contemporary way.
I’ve used Han Blue to create this circular piece, building up layer upon layer of pigment, paint and texture across the reverse of the glass. Rather than depicting a literal moon, I wanted to capture the feeling of one — its surface, atmosphere and sense of distance.
The pigment has a wonderful depth to it. As you move closer, the surface reveals tiny variations, flecks and marks within the blue, while from further away the artwork becomes quieter and more atmospheric.
The circular form naturally lends itself to the idea of the moon, but it also creates a sense of something suspended in space — a small fragment of an ancient colour brought into the present.
As with all of my work, Han Blue Moon is created entirely by hand in my studio using the heritage craft of Verre-églomisé — painting and gilding onto the reverse of glass.
Working from the back means that every layer has to be considered in reverse. The marks that I make first are the ones that will eventually sit at the front of the finished artwork, creating a depth and richness that changes as the light moves across the surface.
There is something particularly beautiful about using an ancient pigment within such a historic glass-working technique, while creating something that is unmistakably contemporary.
Han Blue Moon is an exploration of colour, material, history and light — an ancient blue given a new life on glass.
Artwork details
Diameter: 650mm
Weight: 8kg
Glass: 6mm toughened, polished-edge glass
Finish: Reverse-painted with Han Blue pigment, pearl mica and gilded with silver leaf
Hanging: Invisible floating frame
UK delivery: Secure shipping within the UK is included in the price.
Worldwide delivery: Please contact the studio for a delivery quote.
Interested in this piece?
Please get in touch if you'd like any further information about Han Blue Moon or would like to discuss delivery.