"Jumbo"/Elephant pattern covered butter dish 1883 - 1885

This glass butter dish with its delicate elephant finial was crafted by the Canton Glass Company sometime between 1879 and 1899. The piece is a fascinating study in contrasts, primarily playing with transparency and opacity. Notice how the clear glass of the dish allows light to pass through, creating subtle refractions and illuminating the interior space, in comparison to the opaque, frosted elephant which sits atop the lid, a small yet commanding presence. The elephant acts as a signifier of exoticism and luxury, contrasting with the everyday function of a butter dish. The design itself is an interplay of geometric forms, from the cylindrical base to the conical lid. These shapes are repeated and inverted, creating a sense of balance and harmony. The handles, simple circular loops, add to the overall symmetry, inviting interaction.