"Old Abe/Frosted Eagle" pattern covered sugar bowl 1880 - 1890

This "Old Abe/Frosted Eagle" pattern covered sugar bowl was made by the Crystal Glass Company, though we don't know exactly when. The soaring frosted eagle atop the lid immediately strikes one as nationalistic and patriotic. Looking at the image, the eagle is perched proudly, its wings slightly spread, suggesting freedom and strength. In 19th-century America, such imagery was very popular. After the Civil War, national symbols were increasingly used to unify a divided populace, so the symbolic value of the American bald eagle became more widespread. It appeared everywhere, from official government seals to everyday decorative objects like this one. Understanding the historical context—the rise of American nationalism and the need for unity—helps us interpret the meaning of this bowl. Historians consult a wide range of sources, from advertisements to political speeches, to understand how national identity was constructed and circulated through visual culture, and how institutions like glass companies contributed to this cultural landscape.