Designer: Robert Isabell (1952 – 2009)

Item: Hole in One bud vase, set of four

Manufactured by: Swid Powell

Country of origin: India

Year made: Circa 1988

Materials: Silverplate over brass

Dimensions: 4" x 4" each

Condition: Three are very good with some very subtle polishing marks, but no dents, dings, or damage to note.  One of the vases has a slightly duller and darker sheen than the other three as can be seen in the photos.  This example was recently dropped and sustained a very small dent.  We have attached a photo which makes it appear a little worse than it actually is, but it is still noticeable.  

References: Tapert, Annette. SWID POWELL: Objects by Architects, Thames and Hudson, 1990.

Description:  Here is a scarcely found set of four Robert Isabell Hole in One bud vases for Swid Powell.  Robert Isabell was a very well-known and important florist and event planner in New York City.  Known for his highly stylized designs for the nightclub Studio 54 and for the weddings and funerals of Kennedy family member’s, Andy Warhol, and other dignitaries, he never got the recognition he deserved for this design for Swid Powell.  His association with Swid Powell began when shared an office with Nan Swid for 12 years.  Although these vases appear prominently in two photographs in the Tapert book, the vases are not credited and Isabell’s name is not listed anywhere, which has caused confusion and misattribution of his works.  A simple Google search on his name reveals a significant trove of information including the important auction of his estate by Sotheby's after his untimely death.  

These vases are often confused for candlesticks, and we have yet to see them properly cataloged, because the signature is often incorrectly listed as Robert Lebell or some other butchering of his name.  These vases were also produced with copper and brass finishes, but the silver-plate is the most popular, and finding a set of four is tough.  We confirmed the identity of the designer and the name of this vase from the family of Nan Swid who directed us to the reference materials that are publicly available about Isabell.