This extra-large beer mug, created by the master of contemporary glass art, Koji Ishii (1946–1996), is more than just a practical vessel; it is a gem of an art piece that brings the tranquility and fantastical light of the deep sea to your table. Ishii was a pioneer who infused Western glass crafts with a uniquely Japanese sensibility. He continues to fascinate collectors worldwide with his works that utilize a unique inclusion technique to trap colors and motifs within the glass, expressing the transparency and sense of suspension evocative of the deep sea.
The greatest appeal of this piece lies in its fantastical design, reminiscent of a jellyfish—Ishii's signature motif. Within the frosted, matte glass surface, gold leaf and colored glass particles are trapped like a life form drifting in the water. When light hits them, they reveal a delicate and brilliant expression evocative of tentacles glowing within a body. The curves formed by thin white glass lines resemble the trajectory of life emerging from the darkness of the deep sea, and combined with the soft texture unique to hand-blown glass, they create a depth that is truly one-of-a-kind.
Koji Ishii is widely recognized for revolutionizing the Japanese packaging design industry with his 1985 silhouette bottle design for Sanwa Shurui's Iichiko, but his true value resides in his one-of-a-kind artistic creations. His works are housed in major museums both in Japan and abroad, including the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, and the Aomori Museum of Art. It is not uncommon for even small pieces to be valued around 80,000 yen, while his medium-to-large masterpieces often exceed 1 million yen. Since his sudden passing in 1996 at the age of 50, no new works have been produced, making a stately, large-scale beer mug like this one an extremely rare find.
The tall, dignified form, the substantial construction with a weighted base, and the meticulous finish of the rim all convey the artist's advanced skill and passion. When amber-colored beer is poured into it, the gold decoration within resonates with the liquid, transforming your daily evening drink into a ritual of appreciating supreme art. Preserved in excellent condition and accompanied by its exclusive box, this masterpiece is a fitting embodiment of the madness and passion of a century ago that Antique Liquor 1926 seeks to recreate on modern tables.
- Produced by: Ishii Glass Studio Co., Ltd.
- Author: Koji Ishii
- The artist's notable activities include: [1979] His work was exhibited at "Japan New Face II" and purchased by Her Imperial Highness Princess Chichibu; [1985] He designed the silhouette bottle for Sanwa Shurui's "Iichiko" and won a special prize at the Japan Package Design Competition; [1985] He won a special prize at the "Seibu Crafts Grand Prize Exhibition"; [1994] Held the exhibition "Symphony of Light and Wind: GLASS Ishii Koji" at the Narukawa Museum of Art in Hakone.
- Major collections: The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Aomori Museum of Art, Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art, Toyama Glass Art Museum, Hida Takayama Museum of Art (Hida Takayama), Narukawa Art Museum (Hakone-Lake Ashi)
- Production period: 1980s-1990s
- Condition: Very good (no chips or cracks)
- Accessories: Dedicated box included
- Material: hand-blown glass
- Dimensions: height 22cm, diameter 10.5cm
- Please note: Even if the products we offer are brand new and unused, they are very old and are listed as second-hand items. Please note that the products may have damage due to aging, so please understand and check before purchasing.
