Akira Watanabe

“Distant brilliance” Laminated vessel with platinum and engraved decoration

  • Glasswork
  • Presented in 2018
  • H 8.1 x W 56.6 x D 20.2 cm
  • Sold Out

This piece is characterized by the hand polished softly curved outline. By scraping the inner gray color in the middle and polishing, the brightness stands out among the matte outer part.

Category Glasswork
Year Presented 2018
Dimensions H 8.1 x W 56.6 x D 20.2 cm
Materials Transparent and gray flat glass, platinum powder, dichroic glass powder
Exhibition The 65th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

  • Kiriko cut glass

    Kiriko cut glass is made by using rotating grinders or diamond wheels to cut geometric patterns and curves into the surface of finished glass vessels. The patterns are evened and finished with fine polishing stones. Edo kiriko and Satsuma kiriko are especially famous.

Akira Watanabe

photo Akira Watanabe

WATANABE mainly works with the kiriko (cut) technique; however, he has also developed his own unique layering technique, in which powdered gold, colored glass grains or the like are dusted between several glass sheets to give a decorative effect; the sheets are then fused by using an electric furnace to create the base material with patterns of light captured inside the glass.