This sake vessel, titled Wax-mold Cast Silver and Blown Glass Sakazuki, is a masterpiece that distills the exceptional techniques of Kitamura Shinichi, a Living National Treasure. It is an extremely rare piece that demonstrates the depth of the artist's exploration, beautifully fusing the disparate materials and techniques of metalwork and glass craftsmanship.
Born in 1952, Kitamura Shinichi is a metal artist who was certified in 2019 as a Preserver of the Important Intangible Cultural Property of Wax-mold Casting. This vessel is an exquisite creation utilizing those traditional techniques. Because silver, which is a metal, and glass have vastly different melting points and thermal expansion coefficients, the task of completely integrating the two requires extremely advanced skill to overcome the risk of bursting or cracking from thermal shock. This work features an ingenious structure that overcomes this challenge by blowing glass into a silver framework shaped like a tree. The silver ornamentation is characterized by an organic texture with numerous perforations and a form resembling a powerful, undulating tree trunk, creating a fantastical beauty.
This piece is presumed to be an ambitious work from around the year 2000 (Heisei 12), a period of maturity in Kitamura's creative career during which he pursued the ultimate in technical fusion and decorativeness. The silver portion features a delicate design reminiscent of extending branches and leaves, evoking both the vitality of nature and a sense of tranquil beauty. When a drink is poured, light reflects through the intricate gaps in the silver, emitting a quiet radiance unlike any other. The expression of this light changes over time and projects various shadows depending on the viewing angle. The ability to appreciate the sophisticated craftsmanship of a Living National Treasure through an everyday vessel is one of this work's greatest charms. Fusions of glass with such complex silver motifs are rare even within Kitamura's body of work, making this a precious collector's item worthy of high acclaim for both its artistic and technical merit.
Artist: Kitamura Shinichi (1952-present)
Artist's major activities: [2019] Certified as a holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property "Lost-wax casting (Rōgata)" (Living National Treasure)
Production date: circa 2000
Condition: Very good (no chips or cracks)
Accessories: Dedicated box included
Material: Silver, glass
Dimensions: height 7.5cm, diameter 5.5cm
Special note: As this is a silver product, discoloration due to oxidation of silver may occur.
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.
