{"product_id":"antique-other-glass-products-47","title":"GLASS, Engraved with fern design, Meiji Period（1868–1912CE）","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis exquisite piece is a glass cup crafted during the Meiji Period, utilizing the engraving technique known as gravure, which features a delicate fern design intricately carved into its surface. The glass, slightly tinted with green, belongs to the category of uranium glass, which exhibits its distinctive coloration due to trace amounts of uranium. When exposed to black light in a dark environment, it emits a subtle fluorescence. The vessel's body reveals bubbles and ripples that occurred during production, reflecting the unevenness and rustic finish characteristic of Meiji-era glassmaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe gravure technique, which softly glides a blade across the glass to create a painterly effect, is one of the expressive methods that developed in 17th-century Western art. In contrast to the geometric and sharp lines of Edo Kiriko, gravure manipulates gradations, depth, and shadows to impart a gentle expression to the glass. This technique was introduced to Japan in the early Meiji period by exemplary factories such as the Shinagawa Glass Manufacturing Company and became firmly established through the skill of adept artisans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe fern, a symbol of longevity and prosperity, has been regarded as an auspicious plant since the Heian period, finding its way into various decorative arts such as poetry, maki-e (sprinkled picture), and dyeing. Interestingly, in 19th-century Europe, a fervent craze known as \"pteridomania\" swept through society, leading to an abundance of fern motifs in ceramics, architectural decorations, and even glassware. The fern motif resonates with the currents of Japonisme and Art Nouveau, making it a unique motif that bridges Eastern and Western aesthetic sensibilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe engraved ferns change their shadows depending on the angle of light, appearing to rise softly from within the vessel, creating a gentle three-dimensionality. The meticulously carved lines, extending even to the leaf veins, embody an intention that transcends mere decoration, merging Western sculptural techniques with traditional Japanese symbolic patterns, thus reflecting a spirit of naturalism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe emergence of such glassware coincided with the wave of civilization and enlightenment. As Western tastes for beer, lemonade, and ice confections were introduced to dining tables, there arose a demand for new vessels referred to as \"cups.\" The transparent and fragile nature of glass symbolizes the very essence of modernity, and the engraving of traditional auspicious motifs like the fern connects Japan's spiritual heritage with a new cultural lifestyle, representing an eclectic craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece is in excellent condition, with no significant chips or cracks on the glass surface, gently preserving the atmosphere of its time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ROCANIIRU COLLECTION","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51095502848281,"sku":null,"price":374.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0688\/9911\/1193\/files\/2025072711183.jpg?v=1753629538","url":"https:\/\/rcnir.com\/en-nz\/products\/antique-other-glass-products-47","provider":"入蘆花（ロカニイル）","version":"1.0","type":"link"}