Stiegel Water Tumbler c. 1936

This is Erwin Schwabe’s "Stiegel Water Tumbler," a design possibly made with graphite and colored pencil. I’m drawn to the interplay of form and decoration. It's like Schwabe is thinking through how decoration and utility come together. I find myself lingering on how the light and shadow define the glass form. The meticulous rendering of the tumbler’s surface gives it a ghostly, ethereal quality. It is so precise that I can see its reflective qualities, and I wonder how that might feel to hold. The stylized floral motif, set against the clear glass, feels almost like a dream image of nature. The symmetry of the design and the understated color palette create a harmonious balance that’s very pleasing. It reminds me a bit of Sonia Delaunay, with its playful exploration of form and color. It’s a great example of how design can be both functional and a thing of beauty.