Posted 2 years ago
kwqd
(1121 items)
These sake glasses by Iwata Ruri are about 2.5" high x 2" top diameter x 1.5" bottom diameter. Both are ground flat and polished on the bottom and signed "R. Iwata". I think these cups date to about 1979 based on the paperwork. The tomobako has a good example of her mark and signature. These are, I think, very early work for her. The signature is vaguely seen on the red cup in image 3.
She has a web site: https://www.iwataruri.com/ which led me to the family web site: http://www.iwataglassart.com/ which contains pages for each of the Iwata family members.
This set was under $100 so a good opportunity to pick up a piece by her to complete my Iwata family collection. Done at my transition house so quality of display and photo editing not great.
The text on the small biography sheet says:
Ruri Iwata Biography
Born in Tokyo in 1951.
1975: Started producing glass.
1977 Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Foundry Department.
"His" first solo exhibition was in 1979, and "he" has held solo exhibitions every year since then.
Director of Iwata Kogei Glass Co., Ltd.
Member of the Japan Glass Crafts Association.
These are really cool sake glasses! Sake is one drink I've never had the opportunity to try.
Thanks! Sake is an acquired taste, but once you get used to it it is tasty.
Available at most good liquor stores....
Beautiful pair of sake glasses, the swirl stripe pattern is lovely in both colors
Thanks for your comments, Jenni!
Thanks for your loves Alfie21, Ben, Cisum, aura, IronLace, Jenni, BHIFOS, vcal, fortapache, dav2no1, Kevin and jscott0363!
Yay Kevin!
You found some Ruri glass and they are so beautiful. Much better than the little Ruri works I have.
Yes, they are early and show some good glass making. Later she went more into free form work as her own production, although she did make glass in the family business in their designs, but of course that work can not be attributed to her.
I think you did a great job souring these.
Thanks for your comments, Karen! I saw these a couple of years ago and thought they had been sold. No idea how the last seller found them. They are pretty well done. I like that they were made while her grandfather, Iwata Toshichi, was still living. He and her parents probably handled them.
Thanks GianaMZ!
Thanks Vynil33rpm!