With the line tool created this shape. Converted to editable spline and adjusted the vertices.
step 2 of 6
Placed a Lathe modifier on the spline.
step 3 of 6
Added Mental Arch and design glass texture to my Glass shape.
step 4 of 6
Setting up the spline shape for the sand.
step 5 of 6
The lathed sand for the bottom of glass.
step 6 of 6
The rest of model consists of a plane for the floor. Two cylinders make the 2 pillars in background framing the shot. The hour glass stand is made up of boxes and cylinders. All materials except for the moon are Mental Ray. The moon is a sphere with a Lunar texture map applied to it. (see link) Scene was lit using Mental Ray sun and sky.