PRESS RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO (September 21, 2004) - McGuire recently unveiled a series of sophisticated glass vases in brilliant colors designed by renowned artist Robert Kuo. The limited collection of hand-blown glassware is a dramatic example of the fine and nearly lost skill of the Peking Glass form of ancient Asian glassblowing. These vases are produced exclusively for McGuire, and the collection includes 18 different shapes and styles, all rendered in vivid jewel tones.

With its clean lines and rich colors, each vase is a modern interpretation of the early forms created using the rare art of Chinese glassblowing. While this skill has been a respected art form for many centuries, the Peking Glass style was revolutionary when it was first developed in the Imperial workshops of the Ching Dynasty in China (1644-1911). What sets these pieces apart and makes them so dramatic are the vases' thick walls and layered, brilliant colors; no two are alike and each imparts its own distinct beauty.

Each piece is a rare collectible that is signed by the artist and created in limited quantities. While the technique may be hundreds of years old, Kuo's modern interpretation results in shapes and silhouettes that are clearly contemporary and organic in nature. The simple, flowing lines and gentle curves are crafted from a single piece of molten glass that is blown and formed into its desired shape. The artisan will then continue the process, adding up to six layers of molten glass for a form rich in simplistic nuance, and lush, vibrant color dense in its smoky depth.

Robert Kuo is one of the world's most renowned artists and designers, and his work has been heralded internationally for its modern rendering of ancient techniques. His reinterpretation of classic Asian designs and his salvaging of centuries' old art forms have resulted in pieces which capture the purity and elegance of classic form while offering a contemporary straightforwardness. Having updated other time-honored techniques from the past such as cloisonný, lacquer and repoussý, Kuo has now turned his attention to preserving this traditional Chinese method of glassblowing.

What truly set these new pieces for McGuire apart are its vibrant colors. The formulas for these hues have been a closely guarded secret for centuries, but Kuo has been allowed to tap into the collection of secret coloration methods for his new pieces, while also using modern techniques to add to their formulations. The result is a richness and a depth of color that is unmatched in the history of this exquisite medium.

McGuire Furniture Company, along with Ann Sacks and Baker Knapp & Tubbs, Inc., which includes Baker furniture, Baker Knapp & Tubbs Showrooms, and Baker Stores, is part of the Kohler Interiors Group and a wholly owned subsidiary of Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath designs.

Kohler Co. was founded in 1873. Headquartered in Kohler, Wis., it is one of the oldest and largest privately held companies in the United States.