Vitrum
₹2,500.00
What is Vitrum?
Vitrum was a charitable ceramic-and-mosaic studio founded by Simon and Hanna Lifschutz—Polish refugees who made Bombay their home. Opened in 1954 on the ground floor of Rutton Villa, Cumballa Hill, the studio offered free materials and kiln access, turning functional art into a modern Indian idiom.
Why this book matters
Conceived by Haresh Rangildas Mehta, who has assembled a remarkable collection of 125+ works from the era, this volume preserves Vitrum’s story through essays, interviews, and a generous image catalogue—the first work of its kind to honor the studio’s legacy.
Voices inside
Includes a Foreword by Pheroza Godrej and Reflections by Alex Lifschutz, son of the founders, alongside research drawn from conversations with families of artists and gallerists who witnessed Vitrum’s rise.
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What’s Inside (Highlights)
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Origins & context: Warsaw to Bombay—the Lifschutz journey from Europe to India and the making of a Vikhroli glass factory that seeded Vitrum Studio.
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The studio story: Rutton Villa (1954), open access to materials and kiln, powdered pigments, and a collaborative culture that launched careers.
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Making art public: Functional ceramics (plates, tiles, tabletops) and commissioned murals; retail presence across South Bombay.
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Mentors & networks: Visits by Mané-Katz; mosaic innovation and the Vitrum Mosaic Division.
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Artists featured: Profiles and works of Badri Narayan, F. N. Souza, K. K. Hebbar, B. Prabha, B. Vithal, Vijoo Sadwelkar and many others.
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An ending—and a legacy: Reopening (1965), rebranding as HexAmar, and the early-1970s closure; why Vitrum still matters.
Table of Contents (Selected)
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Foreword — Pheroza Godrej
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Preface
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Warsaw to Bombay
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Reflections on Vitrum — Alex Lifschutz
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The Story of Vitrum Studio
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Artfully, Bombay
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Artists at Vitrum (profiles & plates)
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From Vitrum to HexAmar Studio
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Bibliography
Product Details
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Format: Hardcover
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Pages: 152
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Dimensions & Weight: 9.5" × 9.5" × 1"
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Language: English
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Publisher: Haresh Rangildas Mehta
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Publication Date: June 2025
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ISBN: 978-81-956534-4-7
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In the box: 1 × Book, [optional bookmark / postcard]
Shipping & Returns
India: Dispatch in 1-3 working days; delivery in 5-8 days.
International: Shipping worldwide. Duties/taxes additional as per destination.
Packaging: Rigid mailers with corner protection.
Returns: 7-day replacement for transit damage/defects. Please write us on vitrumstudiosindia@gmail.com
Who Will Love This Book
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Art lovers and collectors of Indian modernism
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Designers interested in ceramics, mosaics, and applied arts
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Students, curators, and libraries building South Asian art collections
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Anyone connected to Bombay’s cultural history