Water glass 18th-19th century

This anonymous water glass presents a study in transparency and texture through its simple, yet subtly complex form. The material’s clarity invites an engagement with light and perception, while the varying patterns molded into the glass's surface create a tactile and visually stimulating experience. The composition of the glass is divided into distinct horizontal zones, each featuring a unique pattern, from the base with its vertical ribs, to the mid-section's cross-hatched design, and finally, the bands of swirling lines near the rim. This structured arrangement plays with semiotic codes of decoration, elevating a utilitarian object to a level of visual interest. The interplay between the transparency of the glass and the intricate patterns challenges our perception of depth and form. The artist, though unknown, skillfully manipulates the material to explore the boundaries between functionality and aesthetic expression, inviting us to reconsider the everyday object as a site of artistic inquiry.