Vase c. 1938

This vase, by Isidore Steinberg, is an image rendered with watercolor and graphite on paper. It’s a common artistic practice, but let’s consider what the work depicts. The vase stands as a testament to the artistry of glassmaking. The production of glass involves heating silica sand to extreme temperatures until it melts into a molten state, and then skillfully shaping it through techniques like blowing, molding, or pressing. The deep purple hue likely results from the addition of metallic oxides to the molten glass. The fluted design may have been achieved through careful carving or molding, requiring precision and expertise. When we consider the labor and resources involved in glass production, from mining the raw materials to the energy-intensive heating process, we recognize the complex intersection of craft, industry, and consumption. Appreciating the material properties and manufacturing history of the glass object allows us to look beyond the object, and to recognize the value of human ingenuity and skill.