Pope Leo XIV receives a handcrafted art glass bowl

In September the five Nordic bishops attended a bishops’ convention in Rome. On this occasion, they were received in audience by Pope Leo XIV, who was presented with a gift – a hand-blown glass bowl from Baltic Sea Glass.

The bowl was crafted in delicate shades of green, inspired by the ever-changing hues of the sea. Its pattern draws inspiration from the fishing nets used by the fishermen of Bornholm for centuries, nets that have played a decisive role in shaping life on the island.

It was Sister Mirijam from Holte Monastery, Secretary General of the Nordic Bishops’ Conferences, who presented the Pope with the green bowl. She was deeply impressed by it:

– It is at once simple and truly beautiful. When I looked into the base of the bowl, I saw the pattern of fossilized shells spiraling outward. The sides resemble fishing nets and the sea – it is incredibly striking. The Pope receives many gifts, but I believe this bowl is quite unlike most others. He looked very interested in it already as I entered the room to greet him. I truly hope he will enjoy looking at it and using it in his daily life, said Sister Mirijam with enthusiasm.

Michael Brandt, owner of Baltic Sea Glass, is both proud and honored that one of the studio’s bowls has been presented to such a prominent figure as Pope Leo XIV.

– Bornholm has a long and solid tradition of high-quality craftsmanship, and the island is – uniquely in the world – recognized with the title of World Craft Region. Pete Hunner and Maibritt Jönsson, who founded Baltic Sea Glass in 1981, are very much part of this distinguished tradition. Throughout their careers, they have shown a remarkable ability to bring life and movement into their glass art. Their artistic approach and persistent focus on quality craftsmanship have secured Baltic Sea Glass a strong position in glass art both in Denmark and internationally.

Works by Baltic Sea Glass are represented in numerous museums across Europe and the United States, including Bornholm’s Art Museum, the Glass Museum in Ebeltoft, the Victoria & Albert Museum in the UK, the Danish Design Museum in Copenhagen, the Kunstgewerbe Museum in Berlin, Sweden’s Glass Museum in Växjö, Finland’s Glass Museum in Riihimäki, Museo del Vidrio in Monterrey, Mexico, the Westphalian Industrial Museum in Germany, and the Nordic Museum in Seattle, USA.

You can explore a selection of our UNIKA works here – and discover even more by visiting our gallery at Melstedvej 47, just south of Gudhjem.