 
Elaborately cut, yet spare and unfussy, this elegant family of stemware
is based on a set of circa 1760 Irish cut crystal glasses from O'Brien's
collection. The fabrication is generously heavy and substantial, echoing
the weight of the most sophisticated European crystal. Chunky diamond
facets climb the stem to cover the uniquely shaped bowl of each glass.
The upper circumference is smooth, for a balance of simplicity and
adornment. Cut lead crystal. |
The
crystal stemware for this group conveys a gracious,
romantic feel, with wider, rounder silhouettes than any other profile.
Lovely tulip-shaped bowls and a looping, cursive cut pattern are
inspired by a set of vintage 1950's colored glass one of O'Brien's
favorite forms. The deeply articulated stems feature a finial-like
finger rest, a fine American detail dating to glasses from colonial
Williamsburg and earlier.
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Lithe, slender, and willowy, the
stemware group carries the same airy posture as the china, with a
pattern of short, dense gray cuts that rise high up the bowl in an
optical effect. The graceful, thin-stemmed profiles derive from a
refined cordial glass from the early 1960's, suggesting the same
mid-century streamlined form.
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Presenting a series of strong conical shapes, Tiago
stemware is defined by bold, long, paneled facets that taper into
glamorous, thickly fluted stems. The effect is architectural and
anchored in Art Deco, with echoes of the Chrysler Building, Radio City
Music Hall, and other glittering Steel Age building icons. The width of
the cuts and the wonderful weight of the crystal yield particularly
radiant refraction.
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Tiago Blue is a versatile colored crystal suite of
stemware in a cinematic smoky blue, with a generous, classical shape.
This glass is designed to work with all of the O'Brien dinnerware
groups.
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Cynthia gains distinction and verve with three horizontal
cross cuts over the vertical ones, figured on the lower half of each
bowl. The motif is based on hand-cut, early American pattern glass,
though its subtle asymmetry and clean, spare execution give it an
equally modern feel.
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