stefan sagmeister for lobmeyr

'seven deadly sins - seven heavenly virtues' drinking glasses by stefan sagmeister (view from the top)
image courtesy lobmeyr

vienna-based glass and chandelier producer J. & L. lobmeyr celebrates the 80th anniversary of austrian designer adolf loos's
legendary no. 248 bar set. the cylindrical glass tumbler, considered to be provocatively simple at its conception,
has been produced by lobmeyr ever since.

in may 1931, in a letter to lobmeyr, adolf loos suggested to eventually replace his original geometric patterns with motifs
on the base, such as 'butterflies, small animals, and the nude human form' - an unusual proposal to be made by a purist.
today, 80 years later, austrian born, new york-based graphic designer stefan sagmeister has expanded this idea and included
illustrations of the seven deadly sins (black) and the seven heavenly virtues (clear) on the bottom of each glass. the images
will emerge as a little surprise as you empty the glass. the new interpretation of the no. 248 bar set are presented during
vienna design week 2011. if you happen to be in vienna, please visit lobmeyr for the presentation tonight at 7pm.



detail of 'seven deadly sins - seven heavenly virtues'
image courtesy lobmeyr (detail)

lobmeyr is part of the most wonderful austrian craft tradition, practicing the very highest level of engraving, hand-painting
and printing on glass anywhere in the world. it is simply delightful, also being austrian myself, to be able to work with them.

in his letter to lobmeyr in may 1931, adolf loos requested to eventually replace the original geometric patterns with 'butterflies,
small animals and the nude human form" on the bottom of the glasses. we picked up on this concept and expanded it with the use
of the seven deadly sins/heavenly virtues which allowed us to incorporate illustrations and have the possibility to start a discussion
about good and evil at the dinner table. this was good.

the glass shape with the heavy bottom lent itself wonderfully to display graphic icons, ... when you drink red wine, the images
will emerge as a little surprise as you empty the glass. it is nice to be surprised by a pair of beautiful breasts.
says stefan sagmeister in an interview with editor james gaddy



image courtesy lobmeyr (detail)


the black bottom shows illustrations that reflect the 'seven deadly sins'
image © designboom


meanwhile the glasses with the clear bottom show the 'seven heavenly virtues'
image © designboom



the original no. 248 tumbler by adolf loos has a geometric pattern on the bottom
image courtesy lobmeyr




the original no. 248 bar set by adolf loos celebrates its 80th anniversary
image courtesy lobmeyr



at the entrance of the lobmeyr store there are panels showing the photgraphic icons that stefan sagmeister has chosen for the original no. 248 bar set by adolf loos
image © designboom


inside the lobmeyr store
image © designboom




letter (22.5.1931) from adolf loos to lobmeyr, suggesting new motifs for the no. 248 bar set (sorry, german language only)
image courtesy lobmeyr