Elan Vital Glass Tableware

Elan Vital Glass Tableware

Elan Vital Glass Tableware is an innovative collection of double-layered glassware that exemplifies the fusion of traditional Japanese craftsmanship with contemporary design aesthetics. Created by Japanese designer Keiji Ishikawa, this sophisticated tableware series employs the time-honored Kiriko cut glass technique to achieve its distinctive visual characteristics. The collection encompasses various pieces including wine glasses, sake cups, plates, and rock glasses, each featuring meticulously hand-ground and polished surfaces that create dynamic visual effects. The design's signature element lies in its regularly arranged motifs that evoke imagery of vivid polka dots, water splashes, or schools of fish in motion, achieved through precisely executed V-shaped cuts. When viewed from different angles, the inner cup's eye-shaped patterns create captivating light reflections and refractions, symbolizing the dynamism of life itself. The technical specifications vary across the collection, with pieces ranging from wine glasses measuring 58mm in diameter and 150mm in height to plates spanning 150mm in diameter and 33mm in height. The innovative use of wide-angle V-cut grinding wheels, specifically commissioned for this project, enables the creation of shallow yet visually striking patterns that enhance both aesthetic appeal and durability. This tableware collection, which earned the Silver A' Design Award in the Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design category, represents a thoughtful response to contemporary social dynamics, particularly addressing the desire for meaningful social connections in challenging times. The design's emphasis on matching cups symbolically reinforces the concept of social gathering and communal dining experiences, while its technical execution demonstrates exceptional attention to detail and mastery of traditional glassmaking techniques.

glassware design, Japanese Kiriko technique, double-layered glass, artisanal craftsmanship, contemporary tableware, social dining experience

— Adam Dawson

CITATION : "Adam Dawson. 'Elan Vital Glass Tableware.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/elan-vital-glass-tableware?E=448621 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"