Made in Russia

Michael Idov

Made in Russia: The Twelve-Sided Glass

Of all iconic objects of the Soviet era — the orb of the Sputnik, the needle of the Ostankino TV tower — none speaks to the Russian heart as clearly and loudly as the Glass.

As to what it says, well, take a guess: with a volume of exactly 250 grams, the Glass happens to divide the equally classic 750-gram bottle of vodka evenly between three friends. Hence, the whispered invitation heard daily around every Soviet liquor store: "Третьим будешь?" (Wanna be the third one?)

Bottom-heavy with a smooth, wide lip, the Glass is sturdy and welcoming, masculine and feminine at once. So you shouldn't be too surprised to learn that it was designed by the Soviet sculptor Vera Mukhina, creator of the infinitely more monumental, but ultimately less relevant The Worker and the Collective-Farm Girl (a.k.a. the Mosfilm logo). Rumor has it that Kazimir Malevich has had a hand in its design as well. That would also make sense, considering the Suprematist cleanliness of the lines. The Glass was first mass-produced in 1943, when the nation could certainly use a drink, and quickly took over as the unofficial chalice of the state. Nowadays, it's more of a curio, produced by one factory in the town of Gus-Khrustalny (Yes, "crystal goose"). The Glass, we drink to you.

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