"Old Abe/Frosted Eagle" covered footed dish 1880 - 1890

Editor: Here we have the "Old Abe/Frosted Eagle" covered footed dish, made by Crystal Glass Company sometime between 1880 and 1890. It is an unusual combination of functional dish and decorative sculpture. What aspects of its formal structure do you find most compelling? Curator: The dish presents a fascinating study in contrasts, specifically in its manipulation of texture and transparency. Note the juxtaposition of the clear, almost ethereal, glass of the bowl with the frosted, substantial presence of the eagle surmounting the lid. This creates a visually arresting dialogue between the functional and the symbolic. Consider also the linear clarity of the bowl's structure against the detailed modelling of the eagle. Editor: The frosted glass gives it such a tactile quality, almost as if it invites touch. But why an eagle? Curator: The choice of the eagle, particularly rendered in frosted glass, evokes a sense of idealized national identity. Note how the smooth curvature of the lid draws the eye upwards to the majestic bird, thus completing a harmonious pyramidal structure that commands respect. The careful craftsmanship involved in both blowing the glass and sculpting the eagle contributes to a symbolic interplay between industry and nature. Do you observe other aspects of this interplay? Editor: Now that you point it out, the symmetry created with handles also reflects the bird perched above and somehow emphasizes balance, stability, perhaps the union envisioned by this object. I never thought decorative art could invite this much scrutiny, especially since it looks fairly simple at first glance. Curator: Indeed. Close analysis reveals complex relationships. Through observing its lines, shapes, textures, and use of space, we arrive at an increased understanding of the formal construction of the work and ultimately how it signifies more broadly.