The $2000 Gary Baseman Decanter for 1800 Tequila

gary baseman mermaid decanter tequila

Earlier this year 1800 Tequila launched limited-edition bottles of extra añejo tequila and one-of-a-kind decanters sculpted by artist Gary Baseman as part of the brand’s 1800 Colección.

Gary Baseman Mermaid Decanter

mermaid decanter by Gary Baseman for 1800 tequila

Gary Baseman Decanter

Baseman decanter and Tequila

bottle of 1800 coleccion extra anejo tequila with baseman label

According to Forbes, only 40 bottles were made (on the Tequila’s site it says 100 were made so I’m not sure which is accurate) of this exceptional, slightly wacky, very Baseman-esque, handcrafted pewter decanter.

Baseman-sketches

baseman-bottle-clays
above: Baseman’s sketches and the clay models for the decanter created with Big Shot Toy Works

Baseman’s pewter decanter design, named “Sirena Del Deseo” (translates to “Mermaid of Desire”), tells the tragic love story of true love and the fight to achieve it. The tale, about a Mexican warrior who perishes in the sea after traveling into the ocean depths in search of his enchanted mermaid, was the brainchild of Baseman, who was inspired by a trip to Mexico to witness the 1800 Tequila production process. The handmade decanter, which took close to three years to create, exhibits Baseman’s artistic philosophy of “the beauty of the bittersweetness of life”.

decanter from front and back
mermaid decanter by Gary Baseman2
skeleton detail

“I am incredibly honored to have had the opportunity to work with 1800 Tequila to create an iconic decanter to celebrate such a special spirit” says Baseman. “This design exemplifies my appreciation of Mexican culture, craftsmanship and creativity. I hope that tequila aficionados everywhere will have the opportunity to experience Colección and that this special decanter will become coveted by art collectors and tequila lovers alike.”

mermaid decanter boxed for 1800 tequila by Gary Baseman

Big Shot Toy Works helped produce the bottle and provided the sketches and clay mold images for this post.

The limited edition boxed decanter and bottle of 1800 Colección extra anejo tequila, whose label features a close-up of the skeleton that’s atop the decanter is priced at $2000 USD. It can be purchased at finer, select retailers.

Learn more about it here

See more of Gary’s terrific work here