glass

Ltd. Edition Glenfiddich Decanter by Steuben

In search of the ideal present for the Scotch lover on your list? Famed single malt distillery Glenfiddich has partnered with renowned luxury glassmaker Steuben to create an exclusive hand crafted whisky decanter (above) in a limited edition. Priced at $690 and available exclusively at the Steuben flagship store in New York, the bespoke decanter is a collaboration between Steuben's master craftsmen and Glenfiddich master distiller Brian Kinsman, representing more than a century's worth of artisanship, tradition and expertise. The Steuben hallmarks of flawless design and attention to detail are combined with filigreed decorative elements inspired by some of the rarest and most precious Glenfiddich expressions.

The elegant piece also features subtle design cues that reflect the storied history of the Glenfiddich distillery, est. 1876, including the famous stag head design and the signature of its founder William Grant. "Both Glenfiddich and Steuben share a dedication to craftsmanship that stretches back more than a hundred years," notes David Bitran, Glenfiddich Senior Brand Manager. "In that time, while the successes of both our companies have grown, the dedication to craftsmanship and quality has endured." "Much like Glenfiddich, this beautiful decanter is the result of hard work, the best materials and the finest craftsmanship," adds Robert Nachman, Vice President of Design and Marketing for Steuben.

Tags: bar, barware, decanter, distillery, gifts, glass, Glenfiddich, Holiday 2010, Scotch, Scotland, spirits, Steuben, whisky

Unexpected Treasures: The Case of The Crystal Goblet

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

We're back with another installment in our sporadic series, Unexpected Treasures, which looks at reader belongings. Today's treasure: the case of the crowned goblet.

Penny E. tells us that the Czech crystal goblet (which measures approximately 3 1/2 inches in diameter and is 9 inches tall) was purchased by her father wen he was in the Army. He bought the goblet from an antiques dealer in Frankfurt, Germany in the late 1950s. Penny's father was told that the goblet was supposed to be one of 12 that were a gift from Czar Nicholas of Russia to Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany on one of Wilhelm's birthday's.

We asked Heritage Auctions for a little help on this one. They received photographs of the items and Penny's email. This is not an official appraisal but is for entertainment purposes only. A comprehensive appraisal often can't be made with a few pictures alone, the item usually has to be examined in person. Eric Smylie who works in the Historical Department at Heritage Auctions told Luxist that the monogram and coronet on the goblet "indicate the glasses belonged to someone with the initials "WM" who was a European count or countess." Wilhelm II would have had his cipher "WII" or "WRII" under either the Crown of Charlemagne (as Kaiser of the German Empire) or the Prussian Crown (as King of Prussia and would never use a coronet. Smylie stated that the value of the goblet should be determined without reference to a royal or imperial association, because it does not exist. His estimate is approximately $150-$250 if the item is in good condition and without chips or cracks.

Tim Rigdon, Director of Silver and Vertu, Decorative Arts & Design, Heritage Auctions, corroborated this evaluation, saying that the engraved insignia is incorrect for the Kaiser and the crown "is for someone holding the rank of count." Nicholas Dawes, Consignment Director, Heritage Auctions, believes that the glass is fairly recent in make, "based on the 8th North European 'air twist' or 'mercury twist' type and form." The glass was likely "made in Bohemia probably early 20th century which would be consistent with the story" but he also agrees that the glass was probably engraved for an East European count or noble of some sort.

For information on submitting your own finds for a future Unexpected Treasures column, please see details here.

Tags: glass, glassware, unexpected treasures

Tiffany Glass Exhibit Opens In Virginia

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Art

Fans of Louis Comfort Tiffany's beautiful glass creations will want to visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. "Tiffany: Color and Light" opened this weekend and will continue until August 15. The exhibition includes more than 170 works by Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studio. Glass objects, leaded-glass windows, lamps, and other decorative items will be displayed along with oil paintings, watercolors, and mosaics. Fourteen objects in the exhibit come from VMFA's internationally renowned collection. "Our own collection of Tiffany treasures has earned the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts the distinction of being the exclusive U.S. venue for the works of this genius of American Decorative arts," says Director Alex Nyerges.

Louis Comfort Tiffany was the son of Charles Lewis Tiffany, the founder of Tiffany & Company in New York City. He studied art in New York and in Paris. He established the Tiffany Glass Company, which became Tiffany Studios in 1900 and at one point, Tiffany Studios employed more than 300 artisans, some of them women, to bring Tiffany's designs and ideas to life.

[via Art Daily]

Tags: glass, museum exhibit, museum exhibition, tiffany, virginia museum of fine arts

Champagne Gets a Green Makeover

by Amy Cortese (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Green

You won't necessarily notice it, but your Champagne is about to get greener. Champagne producers have recently standardized a new lighter-weight bottle designed to reduce carbon emissions generated during transport by 8,000 metric tons annually - the equivalent of taking 4,000 cars off the road.

Sure, you say, another group of producers jumping on the green bandwagon. But this was no easy feat. Each bottle of bubbly contains 6 Gs of force -- for the non-rocket scientists among us, that's about 60 pounds of pressure per square inch, similar to the pressure found in a tire on an 18-wheeler. So the bottles are thick and heavy for a reason. However, working with local glass designers, the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), the region's trade group, was able to shave about 2 ounces from the glass bottle without compromising safety. The lighter weight allows producers to pack more bottles per truckload or container, cutting down on the number of shipments.

The move is part of a broader initiative by Champagne makers to cut carbon emissions by 25% by 2020, and a whopping 75% by 2050.

Tags: champagne, Champagne bottles, Earth Day, eco-friendly, environmental footprint, glass, global warming, green

Continue reading “Champagne Gets a Green Makeover”

Artisan Glass Beads by Sherry Bellamy

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Art

Sherry Bellamy is a primarily self-taught glass bead and sculpture artist. Her beautiful designs feature amazing and intricate patterns, which are all painstakingly planned and 'built from the inside out.' She creates using a technique called lampworking and melts the glass with a torch before manipulating it with various tools until the desired result is achieved. Her art is then made into jewelry, loose beads, and glass sculptures that each give a slightly different peek into a magical and foreign world.

Sherry Bellamy lives in British Columbia and sells her glasswork in various galleries and online via eBay (I especially love this necklace listed for $245).

Gallery: Sherry Bellamy Glass Beads and Sculpture

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Tags: art, glass, glass beads, glassworks, lampwork beads, sherry bellamy

Q By Pasquale Limited Edition Glass Slippers

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

It's a fantasy come true for shoe-lovers: a limited-edition chance to be a real life Cinderella in a glass slipper. Craftsman and designer Pasquale Fabrizio spent the last 5 years researching and engineering the technology required to make these shoes a reality, and the result is a beautiful combination of cutting edge technology and old-fashioned tradition. Each shoe is 100% handmade in Italy of Murano glass with accents of leather, beads, and 24k gold. The collection consists of 5 designs and will be limited to a run of 500 pairs total, each numbered and presented in their own glass box with a certificate of authenticity. The first 100 pairs are available for sale online and the remainder will be disbursed in select Los Angeles boutiques for $7500/pair.

Via Bornrich

Gallery: Q By Pasquale Limited Edition Glass Shoes

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Tags: glass, glass slipper, GlassSlipper, murano glass, MuranoGlass, q by pasquale, QByPasquale, shoes

Jewel-Studded Coffee Mugs, Tea Cups, Drinking Glass

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Jewel-Studded Coffee Mugs, Tea Cups, Drinking Glass

A leading diamond manufacturer in India is offering a range of extravagant crockery that lets you sip hot coffee from a bejeweled mug for about $11,000. The melamine glass mug is studded with 8 carats of diamonds and 3 carats of colored stones set in 25 to 50 grams of gold. For tea lovers, there is a set of six tea cups for $9,600. Each cup is adorned with a replaceable glass design of 1.2 carat of diamonds set on 25 grams of gold. For platinum kids, there is a $1,500 milk glass festooned with 2 carats of rubies and 3 carats of diamonds studded on 20 grams of gold. Exhibited at Sparkle-09, a gem and jewelry exhibition, these products are all the rage among well-heeled inhabitants of India.

[Via LuxuryLaunches.com]

Tags: coffee, coffee cup, coffee mug, CoffeeCup, CoffeeMug, diamond, diamonds, glass, gold, India, mug, rubies, ruby, tea, tea cup, TeaCup

Orlando Artist Blows Glass, Minds

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

Charlie Keila laughed at me. I had just commented on how hot his studio gets, and he couldn't contain the amusement of a man who deals with it every day. Artists who work in glass spend a lot of time around 1,900 degree ovens – it's just part of the job. When you look at the work produced, though, you can see why it's worth becoming acclimated to the sweltering conditions. Keila can only be described as a master.

Keila's studio sits at the corner of Orange and Pine in Orlando, FL – just across the street from Corona Cigar Co. – in the City Arts Factory. In fact, the artist was in large part responsible for the location. After having learned the glass art trade elsewhere, he returned to the town of his teenage years, bringing with him a commitment to arts and culture for which Orlando had been desperate.

This is the Orlando that's obscured by "The Mouse" ... but it exists. If you look past the theme parks and set your sights on downtown Orlando, you can find a vibrant culture that deserves far more recognition than it receives.

For years, Keila says, Orlando has effectively exported its talent. Artists and business professionals alike grow up in Orlando and take their talent elsewhere. The community is deprived of the talent it creates, resulting in a cultural and professional vacuum. This is exactly the problem that the glass-blower sought to solve when he decided to return.

Tags: art, art market, art studios, artist, ArtMarket, ArtStudios, artwork, florida, glass, glass art, GlassArt, glasses, glassware, local, orlando

Continue reading “Orlando Artist Blows Glass, Minds”

Glass Wine Stoppers with Hidden Cork Screw

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Wine

I covered Out of the Blue glass handle pulls not too long ago and I just loved them so much I had to mention these beautiful glass wine stoppers with a hidden corkscrew -- also by Out of the Blue. Not only do they look like tiny pieces of accent art, but having both the stopper and corkscrew together means for one less small kitchen gadget to keep track. It would also make a perfect gift idea for the wine lover in your circle. Priced upon request.

Gallery: Out of the Blue Glass Wine Stoppers

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Tags: corkscrew, corkscrews, glass, Out of the Blue, OutOfTheBlue, wine, wine stoppers, WineStoppers

Art Mosaic Glass Tile Rugs

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

When it comes to home decor, showing off your expensive taste is best done without trying too hard (unless you're Donald Trump) but instead investing in a few special pieces. If your taste leans towards the slightly flashy and totally unique, then check out the glass tile rugs over at SICIS. Available in a variety of designs, some (like the one pictured above) shine like flooring made of gold. They're all very artistic and incredibly beautiful, and I think they're especially suited to entryways and bathrooms (since they aren't especially cozy).

Via Trendir

Gallery: Sicis Art Mosaic Glass Tile Rugs

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Tags: decor, glass, glass tile, GlassTile, rug, rugs, sicis, tile

'Out of the Blue' Art Glass Hardware

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

My favorite kind of doorknob has always been those old fashioned glass knobs found in old homes, but those are all the same unlike these from Out of the Blue Design Studio, which are not only decorative accents but individual little works of art. Created for everything from doorknobs to cabinet pulls to shower door handles, there's a style and color combination to fit every personality. Many of the designs are whimsical and full of color, but there are also options for those who prefer a sleeker, more modern look if that's what you prefer. Certainly not something you'll want all over the house, but an accent knob here or there could really be fun.

Via Trendir

Gallery: Art Glass Doorknobs

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Tags: decor, doorknob, doorknobs, eyecandy, glass, out of the blue, OutOfTheBlue

The Alessi Alberto's Vineyard Glass, One Glass To Taste Them All

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

The Alessi Alberto's Vineyard tasting glass does away with the need to have a different glasses for different wines. The glass's asymmetrical shape serves an important purpose. The side that bends out is meant for tasting white wine, exposing it to the air and opening up the fragrance. The side that curves inward is for red wine, trapping and concentrating the aromas. Does it work? The folks at Unica Home say they noticed a difference but then again they're the ones selling the glasses for $97 a pair.

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Tags: alessi, glass, tasting, wine, wine tasting, WineTasting

Handmade Ceramic Belt Buckles

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

I'm not sure how belts and belt buckles rank these days in the fashion scene but if you're looking for a simple, understated way to punch up your wardrobe then accessorizing with one of these ceramic buckles from Strapped Belts could give your look some serious personality. Each buckle is handmade using raw fusion glass, which is layered to create the design and then fired in a kiln for up to 12 hours at over 1400 degrees. Each buckle measures 2" x 3" and is sold separately from the belts so you can mix and match at will. $42

Via Kempt

Gallery: Strapped Belts Handmade Ceramic Buckles

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Tags: belt buckles, BeltBuckles, belts, buckles, ceramic, glass, strapped belts, StrappedBelts

Harmon Karmon Cut Glass Speakers

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Most speakers, no matter how expensive, are usually pretty ugly in my opinion and although these glass ones from Harman Kardon aren't exactly beautiful (I think they look like something out of an alien spacecraft) they certainly score points for being different and having a design that sets them apart from the herd. It's also fun to note that the cut glass exterior not only serves an aesthetic purpose but it also helps improve sound quality by reducing movement and vibration.

Sold in pairs in a limited edition of 3,000 units, the GLA-55 cut glass speakers will be available starting next month for about £500.

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Tags: glass, harman kardon, HarmanKardon, mp3 player, mp3 players, Mp3Player, Mp3Players, music, sound, speaker, speakers, tunes

Champagne Lightens Up

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Rising fuel prices have some curious and wide-ranging consequences. The Financial Times reports it may be making your Champagne bottles thinner. Champagne bottles traditionally weigh more than a bottle of still wine in order to contain the pressure of sparkling wine. Bottles used to be smashed against ship bows for launching are thinned for easy breakage. But thinner bottles take less energy to create and are cheaper to ship.

G.H Mumm, the Champagne house owned by Pernod Ricard has completed a trial production run of bottle which weigh 835 grams (around 1.84 pounds which is a couple of ounces lighter than regular bottles which are 900 grams). The lighter bottles will be put in caves where the bottles will age.

The lighter bottles will save money on fuel because more of them can be loaded on each truck. Pommery, which already uses the bottles, says that if all the Champagne houses switched to lighter bottles there would be 3,000 fewer trucks on the road each year.

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Tags: champagne, glass, glass bottles, GlassBottles, green, mumm, sparkling wine

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