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2008-05-09

Serving Wine Using Exquisite And Refined Wine Glasses : Glassware set store

Serving Wine Using Exquisite And Refined Wine Glasses
by Muna wa Wanjiru
plug itThere is no better way of serving wine than using some exquisite and refined wine glasses; think of the way the light reflects in the clarity of a quality beverage, imagine the soft elegance of a stemmed glass half-filled with ruby-red liquor: the truth is that we could actually find an artistic expression in wine serving and wine tasting. As a matter of fact, the very production of wine glasses is as old as the fifteenth century when the heavy metal cups were replaced by more delicate glass vessels. As glass craftsmanship reached higher grounds, the complexity of the wine glasses increased significantly, and engravings, etchings and decorations soon became possible.
Using the right wine glasses according to the etiquette is essential at any formal or informal dinner: the size, the color and the shape of the glassware is influenced by the nature of the liquor you intend to serve. The rules that set the grounds for the choice of wine glasses are definitely unwritten, but they are common practice in society, at receptions, restaurants, dinner halls and so on. Therefore, a red wine will be well served in larger rounded wine glasses, preferably with a high stem, whereas white wine looks well in slender wine glasses.

As curious as it may seem to an amateur, not only the color, but the aroma as such is captured differently in various wine glasses. If you place the same wine in two vessels of distinct shapes, there will be a slight distinction in the aroma; yet, noticing such differences is usually the merit of true wine connoisseurs. Another criterion for choosing wine glasses is the time of the day when you intend to serve the liquor: a rich dinner should always be accompanied by a large glass of wine, whereas a short sip of beverage before the meal will necessarily be served in a small-sized model.

It is often the custom to have several types of wine glasses arranged on the table, so that each dish may be accompanied by the proper beverage. Nevertheless, you'll only find this arrangement with wedding parties and especially very official dinners. More wine glasses send a distinct and clear message: the meal is to be enjoyed for several hours, there are plenty of courses and the entire dinner is to be cherished in its diversity. All in all, it is somehow obvious how enjoyable wine glasses could make an otherwise daily routine.

Iittala Essence Glassware : Glassware set store

Iittala Essence Glassware
by Prabakar S
plug itIittala is known for creating objects that are thought through in form, function and quality. Objects with a clear thought, created to achieve long lasting everyday use and inspiration. Whether in metal, wood, porcelain or glass, iittala design objects are tools for contemporary living.
The iittala Tools casserole pans have interior measuring scales and are constructed from an innovative Compound Technology that distributes and retains heat evenly. The iittala Tools frying pans, grill pan and cast-iron pots have each been manufactured from the most appropriate materials for their function and are superb tools that beat the competition. The iittala Tools oven tray is a sleek, functional, and appealing design that completes the set.

Iittala continues to be a major driving force of Scandinavian design with legendary designers Franck and Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) as the cornerstones for the brand. iittala objects are design essentials stripped to their core; the pure union of function, form and quality that demonstrates the company's core philosophy of lasting everyday design, against 'throwawayism'.

Iittala's high quality glass jars turn the eternal problem of storage into decoration. These basic pieces come in three sizes and colors, each with a transparent, plastic lid. They will continue to reinvent themselves in your kitchen or wherever else you choose to use them, whatever you decide to put inside them. Cool and contemporary organization and storage, and beautiful photographic glimpses of your everyday life in perpetual change. Please purchase on online www.etabletop.com

History of Riedel Glasses : Glassware set store

History of Riedel Glasses
by Prabakar S
plug itThe Riedel family has been in the glass business for 300 years, with 11 generations keeping the family business intact. The Riedel story begins in 1678 in the northern part of Bohemia, bordering Schlesia today the Czech republic and Poland respectively. This part of Bohemia was a German speaking enclave known as the Sudetenland. The Venetians brought back the knowledge of glass making from the Near East around 1.000 A.D. The knowledge of producing glass spread slowly towards the northern part of Europe, searching for energy, critical to the melting of glass. Wood was the source, causing a glassmaker migration to the forests. Due to this migration, a glass culture developed in Bohemia in the 17th century.
The first Riedel in the trade of luxury glass goods was Johann Christoph Riedel, born in 1678. He journeyed all over Europe trading glass, travelling as far as Spain and Portugal. The earnings from the business justified the long, arduous and dangerous travels. The 9th generation, Claus J. Riedel (born 1925) had a vision. He changed stemware from traditional coloured and cut glass to plain, unadorned, thin blown, long stemmed wine glasses. He gained immediate recognition from sophisticated customers and museums. Many design awards signalled that a new era had began. Museums bought pieces for their exhibition, like the Museum of Modern Art in New York, which today still has Riedel in their permanent collection.

Based on his unique designs, Claus Riedel was first in history to recognize the effect of shapes on the perception of alcoholic beverages. His work has influenced and changed the appearance of stemware forever. His master piece "Sommeliers" was introduced in Orvieto, 30 years ago, the first ever stemware line to be based on the character of wine. Please purchase on online www.etabletop.com

Fenton Carnival Glass : Glassware set store

Fenton Carnival Glass
by Ross Bassette
plug itThe popularity of collecting Carnival Glass has resurged in recent years. Contemporary pieces are readily available at cheap prices. However, the vintage Carnival Glass is really what is popular with collectors. To offer you some useful information on this American art form, I will discuss the history, manufacture, and value of this colorful art glass.
Carnival Glass History

In the late 19th century, Tiffany & Company and Steuben Art Glass produced a costly hand-blown iridized glass that was very popular with their wealthy clientèle. This glass was hand made and commanded extremely high prices. In 1907, the Fenton Art Glass Company began to mass-produce a high-quality and low-cost iridized glass, similar in appearance to the items crafted by Tiffany and Steuben. The Fenton iridized glass was available in numerous colors, including a unique red. Fenton was not the only manufacturer of iridized glass, but it was the largest producing the colorful glass in over 150 patterns.

Due to the economic hardships of the Great Depression, iridized glass lost its popularity. The inventory of this glassware was subsequently deeply discounted and commonly given away in cereal and supermarket promotions. In addition, the glassware was given away in carnival games, hence, the subsequent name Carnival Glass.

The popularity of iridized glass resurged in the 1950's with collectors and antique dealers and it was during this period that this glassware gained the name Carnival Glass. Today, Carnival Glass is still manufactured by Fenton, and several other companies.

Other Carnival Glass Manufacturers

Fenton, Northwood, Imperial Glass, Westmoreland and Dugan are just a few companies that have manufactured carnival glass. Some of these manufacturers stamped their pieces with a distinctive mark. However, most other manufacturers did not mark their goods leaving some vintage pieces impossible to authenticate. Today, because of high manufacturing costs, few of these manufacturers still remain.

What Is Carnival Glass Worth?

The vintage Carnival Glass manufactured early in the twentieth century is, by far, the most valuable, and sought after pieces. Color and condition play a large role in determining value. Chips, cracks, mold marks, repairs reduce the value. If an item is a rare color like aqua it is of more value than an item in marigold that is plentiful. The red Carnival Glass manufactured by Fenton is very rare, and often commands a very high price. Carnival Glass punch bowl sets, because they consist of multiple items, sell for a premium if complete with all pieces.

Traditional venues such as flea markets and antique shops have been the primary source for vintage carnival glass. Today, take a look at eBay for thousands of listings of both vintage and carnival glass at great prices. Remember, one persons trash is another persons treasure.

It is so ironic that at one point in time Fenton Carnival Glass was so common, it could hardly be given away. Today, some vintage pieces sell for thousands of dollars. However, if you spend some time looking for this beautiful glass, you are likely to find some real bargains.