Spring captured in glass—this luminous flower basket evokes the first tender greens of the season, crowned with golden light and a gracefully twisted handle that arches like a willow branch. Description: This handled flower vessel takes the traditional Japanese flower basket (hanakago) form, reinterpreted in blown glass. The body features a soft, frosted satin finish in a delicate young-grass green (wakatake-iro), graduating subtly from a pale, almost white-green at the base to a richer tone toward the shoulder. The matte surface diffuses light gently, creating a serene, jade-like quality. At the shoulder and flared rim, the glass transitions to a glossy finish with rich gold leaf (kinpaku) decoration applied beneath the surface. Scattered across this golden band are playful dots in white and pale blue, adding texture and visual rhythm to the composition. The interior of the rim reveals a deep emerald green, providing striking contrast when viewed from above. The arched handle is formed from clear glass twisted into a rope-like spiral, with gold particles suspended within, catching and reflecting light as the viewing angle changes. The handle attaches at two points on the rim, creating an elegant basket silhouette. The underside displays a smooth, frosted concave base with the artist's incised signature. Cultural & Art Context: The hanakago (flower basket) form has deep roots in Japanese aesthetic tradition, originally woven from bamboo for use in tea ceremony and ikebana flower arrangement. Glass interpretations of this classic form represent a dialogue between traditional Japanese sensibility and Western glassmaking techniques—a fusion that defines Kuniaki Kuroki's artistic philosophy. The choice of young-grass green carries seasonal significance in Japanese culture, evoking early spring when nature begins its renewal. Combined with gold leaf decoration, the piece suggests both freshness and preciousness—humble nature elevated through artistic transformation. Collector Appeal: This flower basket exemplifies Kuroki's signature approach of marrying Western glass techniques with Japanese decorative aesthetics. The satin finish demonstrates mastery of surface treatment, while the gold leaf application and twisted handle showcase the artist's technical range. Signed by the artist on the base, this piece offers an accessible entry point to the work of one of Japan's most celebrated contemporary glass artists. Condition: Light surface scratches observed on the base. No chips, cracks, or repairs. No box included. Dimensions: Diameter: 11.0 cm Height: 14.5 cm (including handle) Weight: 480 g Artist Profile: Kuniaki Kuroki was born in 1945 in Suki Village (now Kobayashi City), Miyazaki Prefecture. After graduating from Miyazaki Prefectural Kobayashi High School in 1963, he joined Yamatani Glass in Tokyo, where he encountered the beauty of molten glass and dedicated himself to mastering the craft. He began his creative activities in 1974 and obtained the National Glass Product Manufacturing Technician Grade 1 certification in 1977. In 1984, Kuroki established himself as an independent artist. He was instrumental in the 1985 restoration project of Satsuma Kiriko cut glass, serving as head of the craft department. In 1989, he founded Glass Art Miyazaki Aya Studio in Aya Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, where his workshop remains active today. In 1991, Kuroki became the first glass artist to receive the prestigious "Contemporary Master Craftsman" (Gendai no Meikō) designation from the Japanese government, recognizing his exceptional technical skills. His "Kōrin" series, which translates the decorative beauty of the Rinpa school into glass using gold leaf and millefiori techniques, has become his signature work. Kuroki received the Yellow Ribbon Medal (Ōjuhōshō) in 2006 for his contributions to the craft. His works have been exhibited internationally, including a landmark solo exhibition at the Ca' Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art in Venice (2008) and at the National Museum of History in Taiwan (2013). He has presented works to the Imperial Household on multiple occasions and continues to lead Glass Art Kuroki with approximately 50 staff members, training the next generation of Japanese glass artists. Additional Notes Please review all photos carefully as they are part of the item description. Shipping Information All items are shipped from Japan via DHL or Japan Post, depending on the destination. Each piece is packed with great care using professional materials suitable for fine art shipping. 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