Creamer 1870 - 1890

This Creamer was made by Challinor, Taylor and Company in the late 19th century, using pressed glass. It’s a great example of how industrial production could be used to make luxury goods affordable. Note the distinctive swirling pattern, known as ‘marble’ glass, which gives the illusion of natural stone. The process involved combining different colored molten glass, then pressing it into a mold. This allowed for intricate surface decoration, like the floral motifs and geometric facets you see here, far more efficiently than traditional glassblowing. The handle was likely formed separately and then attached. While it lacks the individuality of a hand-crafted piece, the creamer speaks volumes about the ambition of American manufacturers to bring fashionable design to a wider market. So, next time you pour yourself a cup of coffee, consider the complex interplay of materials, making, and social context that even a humble creamer can embody. It challenges the traditional distinctions we often make between fine art and everyday craft.