King's Voyage

Bertil Vallien is recognized as the pioneer of the sand-casting technique, in which molten glass is poured into a firm sand mold. Much like the cire perdue or lost wax technique, the delicate nature of the mold material prevents more than one sculpture from being produced. Thus, Vallien's sand-cast sculptures are unique works of art.

One of the most prominent vessel themes in his stoneware sculptures of the late 1970s, the boat became a hallmark of Vallien's later sand-cast sculptures (1984-88).

Vallien's boats are containers for messages and metaphors for man's existence. They explore universal themes, such as the journey of life and the unknown destination.