About the Works Artist: Kunitaro Uchida 内田邦太郎 Title of work: “Goblet of Tides and Aurora” — Sculptural Glass This sculptural goblet by Kunitaro Uchida rises like a quiet column of light—an object suspended between sea and sky. Its surface shifts from soft amethyst to deep ocean blue, finally dissolving into luminous green, echoing the gentle movement of tides or the fading colors of an aurora. In the center, interwoven glass rings bloom like a living organism, supporting the form with organic vitality. The soft, crystalline surface texture—neither fully transparent nor opaque—reveals the essence of the technique used: pâte de verre. This unique method allows colors to blend like pigments suspended in air, creating the velvety, wax-like surface that defines Uchida’s work. Pâte de verre is one of the most delicate and historically significant techniques in glass art, involving the fusion of powdered glass in a mold at low temperatures to achieve unprecedented precision and subtlety. Revived only by a handful of modern masters, it remains an exceptionally demanding craft—one that Uchida has elevated into poetic expression. More than a vessel, this piece stands as a sculptural poem in glass: a reverie of light, water, and the quiet pulse of nature, brought to life through the timeless art of pâte de verre. About Pâte de verre Pâte de verre is one of the most delicate and historically significant techniques in glass art. It involves mixing powdered glass with a binding agent, packing it into a mold, and firing at a low temperature to achieve meticulous color placement and a soft, wax-like texture that other methods cannot replicate.​ The origin of this technique lies with the 19th-century French sculptor Henri Cros (1840–1907). Initially, Cros created relief works using colored wax, but due to wax’s fragility, he searched for a way to recreate its texture in glass while maintaining the wax-like feel, eventually establishing the pâte de verre technique.​ However, pâte de verre is extremely difficult to master. After World War II, the technique nearly disappeared and became known as a “lost art.” It has long been considered one of the most challenging forms of glasswork to revive, and only a limited number of artists have succeeded in restoring and perpetuating its methods.​ Today, only a select few skilled artists, such as Kunitaro Uchida, can truly master this technique. Each piece is painstakingly finished by hand, resulting in works of exceptional rarity and artistic value. Pâte de verre represents the true essence of glass art.​ Size: Diameter: 8 cm Height: 24.6 cm Weight: 592 g About the Artist Kunitaro Uchida is a Japanese glass craftsman, born in Kyoto in 1942 as the eldest son of a ceramics artist. He graduated from the Department of Crafts at Tokyo University of the Arts in 1967, specializing in metal casting. After graduation, he joined the Glass Research Laboratory at the Osaka Municipal Industrial Testing Station to study glass coloring techniques. In 1968, he became a craftsman at Sanyu Glass Art in Osaka, where he spent five years mastering glassblowing.​ In 1976, Uchida succeeded in recreating "Pâte de verre," a mysterious glass art technique that originated in France during the Art Nouveau period and had been lost in Japan after World War II. He began presenting his works at many solo exhibitions held annually at venues such as Ikebukuro PARCO Gallery, Kichijoji PARCO, and Amelia Gallery in Minami-Aoyama. He also established glass departments at the Tokyo Craft Design Institute and Atelier Hikosen, producing glass products under the name "Uchida Craft".​ In 1987, Uchida was invited to participate in the "Art Glass of Japan" exhibition in New York. His works were acquired by the Museum of Lausanne in Switzerland, earning him recognition both domestically and internationally. He remains active, continuously challenging himself to create new works and exhibiting in various galleries throughout Japan. Major Achievements ・1987: Exhibited in the "Art Glass of Japan" show at Heller Gallery in New York; his works were collected and exhibited by the Museum of Lausanne, Switzerland. ・1990 & 1992: Invited exhibitor in the glass division of the Asahi Modern Craft Exhibition. Appearance Please see photos for details. Shipping Information Items are shipped from Japan via DHL or Japan Post. A tracking number will be provided once the shipment has been dispatched. Please note that we are unable to under-declare the value of an item or mark it as a gift for shipping purposes. Obligations of the importer Import duties, taxes and fees are not included in the bid price or shipping charges. These charges are the responsibility of the buyer. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be before bidding or purchasing. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.