Flask 1840 - 1860

This glass flask was made around 1850 by the Kentucky Glass Works. At first glance, it is an unremarkable utilitarian object, but let’s consider what it meant to put this particular image on a flask. The inclusion of the American eagle motif is a clear invocation of patriotism. The eagle was a popular symbol in mid-19th century America, a symbol of national identity that would have resonated with its users and been understood across classes. Flasks were produced to be sold in large quantities, so the manufacturers would have had a clear sense of the public role of art, namely, to instil pride in the nation. Archival resources such as newspapers and trade publications tell us about the rise of American manufacturing in this period, and about the role of symbols in that economy. They show us that an image like this would have encouraged the public to buy local and support the growing sense of national identity.