Glassware Traditions We Love From Around the World—and Their Modern Interpretations
Whether it’s Murano or Czech crystal, there’s a beloved form out there that’s right for you. We collected contemporary pieces for your home that find inspiration in the classics.

When browsing the local shops on your vacation for souvenirs this year, put down the magnets, set aside the ceramics, and make some room for glass. There are so many different glass traditions that are iconic because of where they’re from that it’s hard to pick which ones to highlight, but we chose four from around the world that have influenced design far outside their origins. From the teahouses of Morocco to the bustling markets of China, there’s glassware for every trip. And if the only travel you’re doing this summer is from the comfort of your backyard, we found some contemporary interpretations of each tradition.

Danube Carafe by Kickie Chudikova
Photo: Nigel Lujan Jones
Moroccan Beldi Glass
In Morocco, tea is more than just a drink—it’s a physical representation of hospitality. And often, the refreshing mint tea comes in small cups made of imperfect recycled material known as beldi glass. Traditionally made from things like beer or wine bottles in a process that has been more or less the same since the 1940s, beldi glasses are characterized by their small size and conical shape, as well as color. Although there are many examples of gilded beldi glasses and carafes out there, the traditional grass-green hue is instantly recognizable.

From left: Velasca Three-Piece Set from Obakki, HILO Vase by Daniella Koós, Ribbed Vase from Lignet Roset, Silence Glass by Takeyoshi Mitsui from Cibone O’Te, Moroccan Beldi Glass from Verve Culture, and Glass Stripis from Mango.
Products courtesy respective companies and brands
If Marrakech isn’t on your list this year, don’t fret—there are plenty of contemporary interpretations that we think evoke the tradition and won’t require a passport. Kickie Chudikova’s Danube Carafe comes with a matching cup that echoes the shape of traditional beldi glass and would work beautifully on a bedside table. And if you truly want the real deal, Verve Culture’s set, in the fetching green derived from recycled Heineken bottles, is just the ticket.

Murano by Bora Glass from Carl Hansen & Søn.
Photo: Nigel Lujan Jones
See the full story on Dwell.com: Glassware Traditions We Love From Around the World—and Their Modern Interpretations
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