Tumbler 1887 - 1896

Editor: Here we have a "Tumbler" crafted by Hobbs, Brockunier and Company sometime between 1887 and 1896. It's made of glass, and I'm struck by how tactile it looks. All those little raised circles! What do you see in this piece, especially concerning how people relate to it through time? Curator: That tactile quality is precisely what makes it so engaging. Those "circles," often called hobnails, aren't just decorative. Think of Braille. In the late 19th century, increased industrial production also led to increased visual noise. Do you think this texture could serve as a form of visual and almost sensory relief, a counterpoint to increasingly visually stimulating surroundings? Editor: That's a fascinating point – the hobnails offering a kind of…sensory rest. So, it's more than just decoration; it becomes almost functional in a cultural sense? Curator: Exactly. Consider also the symbolic associations of glass: fragility, transparency, but also potential for transformation when heated. By adding the hobnails, the glass takes on new identities, perhaps a shared human experience? In our culture, for example, a tumbler is often associated with celebration and connection, don't you agree? Editor: I do! This is much more layered than I initially thought. I was just thinking about whether it's easy to grip! Curator: Precisely. Sometimes functionality and symbol blend. Considering these aspects allows one to reflect on larger shifts in cultural priorities, visual languages and experiences throughout human history. Editor: Thinking about sensory relief and hidden symbolism has really shifted my understanding of how to approach glassware and its potential messages! Thanks. Curator: My pleasure! Every object, even something as seemingly simple as a tumbler, has a story etched within its form.