Russian Filitini, 2008

Russian filigree and steel martini glass

I was invited to exhibit this glass during Martini Tales at Thomas Mann's Gallery I/O as part of the International Tales of the Cocktail Festival, New Orleans, LA, 2015.

The following is my "recipe" that the organizers requested to accompany the piece:

The Russian filigree in this piece is my contemporary adaptation of a classic filigree structure used for creating spheres and beads. The undulation radiant arms are based on stylized suns in Medieval astronomical maps. The section covering the glass's stem, when unfurled, is a crescent, giving the illusion that the moon and stars are supporting the glass, the matter and fabric of space containing emptiness or the potential of creation.

Ingredients:
Hand milled sterling and fine silver wire
Garnets
A blend of secret spices
Steel martini glass
Fire
With a twist and a flare, form all the framing structure to give the vessel a robust burst of shape. Form each tiny wire, and place into frame with tension. Give the metal a flip to the back, and sprinkle the secret blend of spices (a recipe of powdered solder from antiquity). Ignite the torch, and waft the flame over all the refined bouquet of spirals until all the flavors meld.
Form the lace-like structures over the steel martini glass. Turn the tips to stone with more heat from the Earth and a bit of pressure by hand to secure them. Serve with a combination of matte finish and high polish. Enjoy!