1950s Blenko Art Glass Sculpture – Bayer Pharmaceutical Mayan God Itzamna
 
A Rare Corporate Commemorative Piece
 
Description & Significance
This mid-century art glass sculpture (3⅞" × 6") is a remarkable fusion of Mayan iconography and corporate history, created by Blenko Glass for Bayer Pharmaceutical. The piece features:
A thick blown glass base with an impressed Bayer Pharmaceutical Cross logo on the reverse, confirming its provenance as an employee presentation piece.
A solid sterling silver depiction of Itzamna (2½" × 4¼"), the Mayan god of creation and wisdom, adorned with 24k gold plating and mounted on the glass. A metal plaque on the base identifies the deity.
 
Key Features
Blenko Glass Craftsmanship:
Handblown using heavy glass typical of Blenko’s 1950s production, known for its vibrant colors and modernist forms (though this piece opts for transparency to highlight the metalwork).
Unmarked except for the Bayer logo, consistent with Blenko’s corporate commissions, which often omitted standard branding.
 
Cultural & Corporate Hybrid:
The Itzamna figure reflects Bayer’s global engagement, possibly commemorating pharmaceutical work in Mesoamerica or celebrating Mayan cultural heritage.
Rare as a non-utilitarian Blenko item—most of their output focused on vases and tableware.
 
Materials:
Sterling silver and gold plating elevate it beyond typical Blenko glass, suggesting high-value recognition for employees.
 
Provenance & RarityExtremely scarce: No comparable examples found in Blenko catalogs or collector databases, indicating a limited corporate edition.
 
Display & Care
Avoid direct sunlight to prevent gold plating tarnish.
Clean glass with mild detergent; polish silver with a microfiber cloth.
A transcendent artifact bridging pharmaceutical history, Mayan spirituality, and American glass artistry.