Glass c. 1880

Editor: Here we have a striking glass decanter set, made around 1880, currently housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I find the repetitive feathered patterns a little hypnotic. How do you interpret this work, particularly given its historical context? Curator: Considering the materials, let’s not overlook the labour involved in creating such delicate glassware in the late 19th century. This wasn't simply about artistic vision; it's about industrial processes, skilled artisans, and a social structure that enabled this kind of refined consumption. The uniformity of the patterns, perhaps achieved with new technologies of the era, speaks volumes about production and accessibility, don’t you think? Editor: That’s interesting, I hadn’t considered the industrial side so much. So, instead of seeing luxury, you are drawn to how accessible the production made it? Curator: Not necessarily “accessible” to everyone, but compared to earlier handmade glassware, the level of detailed ornamentation produced relatively quickly is telling. This also encourages me to wonder who would have purchased and used such an object. What can the context of use tell us about societal hierarchies? The rising middle class, perhaps? Editor: Right, that makes me think about access to consumer goods as well as the water being served from this pitcher. It’s no longer something gathered communally, but individualized at the table with this glassware. Curator: Precisely. And how does that shift change social dynamics around dining or social gatherings? Or about our changing relationship with nature and water sources? Food for thought. Editor: This has been so enlightening. I definitely have a different view on it than before. Curator: As do I. It reminds us that even seemingly simple objects hold layers of social and material meaning.