Mark Braun with J. & L. Lobmeyr: Fortune

'Fortune' by Berlin-based designer Mark Braun and the esteemed Austrian glass company J. & L. Lobmeyr at Gallery Libby Sellers.

Braun's proposal for the series saw a water carafe, handcrafted by Lobmeyr, engraved with one of seven glaciers, seven lakes or seven rivers from across the globe. The collaboration between Braun, Lobmeyr and Gallery Libby Sellers will include the addition of an eighth river - London's Thames - launched exclusively at the gallery in December 2011.

Lobmeyr's emphasis on the handmade goes beyond venerating the traditions established by the company's founders over 200 years ago, to encompass a contemporary take on luxury. By striving for integrity, quality and beauty in even the most humble of objects, Lobmeyr imbue their glass and crystal with intrinsic characteristics that encourage longevity and loyalty. These carafes are to be enjoyed and emloyed daily as an essential object, just as the water that they are designed to contain is an essential resource for life.

In this context, 'Fortune' takes on a different connotation: water is the luxury here, as while these international waterways cover 70 per cent of the planet's surface, they are a threatened resource. With climate change, pollution and an increasing population these waters are altering at an alarming rate. Braun's documentation is a frozen moment in this torrent of change. For example, Fortune: Lake Baikalhas a connection to one of the largest freshwater sources; Fortune: Lambert Glacier shows the largest glacier in the Antarctic, which is slowly melting; Fortune: River Euphrates depicts an important lifeline for several surrounding countries; while Fortune: River Thames celebrates the pivotal role the river has played as a thoroughfare to London's prosperity. As Braun has said, 'We all know that this water will be the new gold.'

The numbered series, and exclusive River Thames carafe, make the perfect gift as each are signed and detail the name of the body of water, its size and the time the carafe took to engrave. A range of postcard images by graphic designer Anna Sartorius accompanies the series. The Fortune series was initiated as part of Vienna Design Week.