Vase c. 1909

This glass vase of unknown date was crafted at the Imperial Court Glass Factory. Court factories such as this were fairly common in 18th and 19th century Europe. They existed to supply luxury items to the ruling family and demonstrate technological advancement. This vase, with its red-brown ribbons on an opalescent ground, signals the importance of glass as a medium of state-sponsored experimentation and innovation. The vase form itself is relatively simple, allowing the qualities of the glass to take center stage. Glassmaking was a carefully guarded secret, and court factories were a means of controlling production and design. The vase can be understood as an expression of imperial power and influence. Understanding the social and economic context is essential to interpreting this object fully. We can research court records, factory archives, and design manuals. This helps us reveal the social and institutional forces at play in its creation. Art's meaning is contingent on its historical context.