Design
Ichendorf Milano
Manhattan Rolling Decanter with Lid and matching Manhattan Rolling Tumbler. Mouth-blown in Slovakia, this decanter is ideal for whiskey or cognac.
Image courtesy of: Borough Kitchen
Ichendorf’s long history began in the early years of the twentieth century in a small town near Cologne, Germany called Quadrath-Icendorf. The town had master-glaziers who used a substance similar to silica; their specific mixture gave shape to pieces that were popular during that period of time.
Several decades later, in 1950, the company began producing items that had “clean” shapes… a change of the times. The pure materials enabled the objects to showcase a beautiful transparency without imperfections.
Animal Farm Collection. The fun characters hidden at the bottom of the ultra-durable borosilicate glass are: turtle, duck, snail, squirrel, duck, and hedgehog.
Image courtesy of: Trouva
Suddenly, the previous designs were abandoned and glassware was no longer adorned and intricately detailed. In 1990, the company moved its headquarters to Milan, Italy’s design capital. The company’s name was amended to Ichendorf Milano.
Moving to Milan allowed the company to tap into the skills of artisans and designers familiar with contemporary designs. However, it was still a priority to combine the company’s traditional craftsmanship with the ideas of those leading contemporary Italian designers. Historically, the company produced ornate glass ornaments; however in recent years, it has become world-renowned for their one-of-a-kind, hand-blown glass tableware.
The Moment Collection
The idea behind the collection evolved from the ritual of pouring a decanted wine into a glass… and the moment of quiet and peace that follows. The elegant transparency showcases the color of what’s inside. The profile of the piece’s inner shape presents a sense of movement; the connoisseur is able to enjoying both the sound and the smell of this “activity”. As an added bonus, the “double wall” design acts as a thermos in that it keeps the liquid warm while the outer shape stays cool.
Image courtesy of: Uhnger, photographed by: Alberto Strada
Ichendorf Milano has always prioritized the relationship between artists and designers. At the core, they are the ones who meld the material… making it a singular entity. Those involved in the process continuously search for new ways to detail the items, always respecting the company’s long history and the master-glaziers’ expertise. Working together to honor the company’s storied history ensures that Ichendorf’s longevity will continue for another one hundred years.
Aurora Glassware Collection. Each style of glass has a clear stem and is crafted from hand-blown borosilicate glass to ensure they are lightweight and elegant.
Image courtesy of: SCP
The first collection debuted in 1921… one hundred years ago. This quote is most fitting, “Today, as 100 years ago, Ichendorf’s goal is the pursuit of beauty with authentic shapes.”
After a lot of experimentation, sketches, and 3-D prototypes, the perfect balance was attained.
In 2019, the company added stoneware to its list of materials used which include traditional glass, crystal, and borosilicate.
Image courtesy of: Archiprodcuts
This past spring, Ichendorf Milano presented a new collection, a collaboration with SIEGER called STAND UP. Sixteen years ago, Christian and Michael Sieger launched a high-end brand meant to enrich people’s lives with beautiful products. For the past fifteen years, they have worked with the German Porcelain Manufactory FÜRSTENBERG to make porcelain collections.
The new crystal glass collection was inspired by roly-poly toys because their balance is always a source of interest. The collection includes three hand-blown wine and digestif glasses and a carafe. Empty or full, these glassware items rock back and forth each time they are touched only to regain balance and straighten up once they stop moving. This is thanks to the perfectly curved base whose contact area measures less than a square millimeter. We can attest that these pieces are so fun to watch both in motion and stationary.
