WATER EN VOGUE
GLASSES, BOTTLES AND CARAFES AS DESIGNER OBJECTS
There is no doubt about it, elegant glasses simply look chic and always perfectly complement the elegantly-laid table. Moreover, they also set off all kinds of drinks wonderfully, providing they are served in elegant carafes, extraordinary bottles or attractive glasses.
Anyone who, caught up in the general drinking-water boom, relies on impressing his dinner guests with bottle etiquette alone has obviously missed the rediscovered trend of the extraordinary aesthetics and culture of selected table glasses and glass receptacles. Even the Greeks and the Romans, who excelled as the creators of the standard glass in which to offer drinks, understood the importance of luxurious glasses, chalices and carafes as a symbol of wealth and lifestyle. A culture which the Germanic peoples developed further in the Middle Ages and which was continued in Europe with the manufacture of the world-famous Venetian Murano glass, which is still considered the epitome of the finest glass art today. The Venetians, who produced their famous glass in the utmost secrecy on the island of Murano, dominated trade until the 18th century. According to historical records, the well-paid glassblowers even faced the death penalty if they passed on the successful formula without permission.
Incidentally, the oldest documented instructions for "glass making" originate from 650 BC and basically say: "Take 60 parts sand, 180 parts seaweed ash, 5 parts chalk - and you get glass." This "glass formula", as experts would call it today, was written in cuneiform script on a clay tablet and found in the library of King Ashurbanipal of Assyria. In fact, it has continued to have a certain validity to this very day. After all, it includes all the raw materials hitherto used in glass production, albeit in very sweeping proportions.
As clear as crystal
Currently, shiny table receptacles of every kind are essential accessories to a stylishly decorated table. Whether classic, modern, traditional or real antique, the old and new glasses, bottles, carafes and jugs not only make drinking a pleasurable experience, but also a glittering feast for the eyes. The seductive tendency towards tasteful table decoration is, alongside tradition, also the result of the numerous glass creations of inspired designers, whose feel for colour and form materialises in irresistible containers. Thus it seems almost scandalous when the coveted bottles and jars are used as striking vases for flowers.
The considerable range of glass treasures on offer does not always make selecting one easy. You are lucky if you have found your own personal style. However, you have a difficult task on your hands if you always want to try different styles. For then, barely any limitations are placed on your individual desires in terms of form and colour. At present, rounded contours and authentic tones are more in demand, as we find in nature. Indeed, the sophisticated design perfectly fits the required elegance in the living area: In harmony with the primordial element, we find carafes shaped like a drop, for example, which can be stylishly sealed with the matching glasses.
Those who are interested in antique carafes will certainly feel their heart rate increase with delicate beauties from Ancient Rome and Greece, which can be purchased over the internet, for example. Although still fully intact, most of the centuries-old decorative objects are not really suitable for everyday use, but much rather for decorative purposes.
Extraordinary colours, fine crystal and an elaborate diamond cut make precious artworks of both individual pieces and entire collections. Courageous injections of the colours blue and orange as well as stylish accents of mandarin, fuchsia or sea green not only effectively set off table water, but also give every table that extra sparkle of flair.
Charming containers for still water
Water jars can not only focus attention on the clear drink, but at the same time they can also express feelings - it is all a question of design. Words of boundless love, engraved for all eternity at the table are certainly not only for something for young lovers, but can be used almost universally: In how many languages can we express the word "love"?
A glass floor can also contain more that we would usually expect. Thus according to the Japanese scientist and water expert Dr. Masuru Emoto, stones ingrained within it allegedly unfold an energy, even without coming into direct contact with the precious water, and reawaken people's awareness of their elementary significance.
In contrast, aesthetically pleasing glass bottles from Soda Club draw their tingly essence directly from the Penguin Soda Maker, which injects plain water with carbon dioxide to make it fizzy.
Finally, there is just one more question to answer: How do glass treasures keep their cut, shine and possibly their colour over long periods of time? That is easy: Ignore the dishwasher and wash up valuable items individually in warm water and dry them with a tea towel. Then polish them up and take care never to store especially delicate glasses on their fragile bases.
