VERY RARE Iridescent, Obsidian Glass UK, Carved Paperweight 'Frog' by Pardeep Sodera c1998 (BIN)

GORGEOUS piece made by British studio glass artist Pardeep Sodera circa 1998.

Approx. 3.0" in diameter. and 2.95" high.

In great condition!

Pardeep Sodera is a highly skilled British studio glass artist known for creating intricately carved, multi-layered art glass paperweights during the late 1990s. Operating primarily out of the South of England under the studio name Obsidian Glass, his work is highly regarded by collectors for its precise tactile techniques and vibrant aesthetics.

Design Details

• Technique: The distinctive textured, bas-relief appearance is achieved through deep sandblasting. A resist material is applied to mask the glass globe before it is carefully sandblasted to etch away a fraction of a millimeter of the surface, creating the crisp silhouettes of the elephant parade and crescent moon.
• Finish: The piece features a striking metallic iridescent finish that shifts beautifully in color under the light, changing tone against the matte, etched blue surface.

Core Artistic Techniques

• Bas-Relief Sandblasting: Rather than encasing designs inside clear glass like traditional paperweights, Sodera specialized in a surface-carving technique. He painted a liquid "resist" material (such as PVA glue) onto a smooth glass globe to outline a silhouette. Once dry, the sphere was sandblasted, stripping away roughly half a millimeter of the unprotected surface to leave a raised, crisp three-dimensional image.
• Metallic Iridescence: His pieces are celebrated for their shimmering metallic finishes. He regularly layered shifting, iridescent coatings—often featuring rich blues, turquoises, and greens—which starkly contrasted against the matte, deeply etched frosted glass beneath.

Common Motifs & Marks

• Nature & Wildlife: Beyond the iconic "Elephants by Moonlight" series, Sodera’s studio catalog frequently depicted stylized animals, including detailed dragonflies, frogs, and prowling cats.
• Signature: His work is usually signed on the base with his initials, "PKS" (Pardeep Kumar Sodera), and accompanied by the year of production (most active between 1997 and 1999).