Egg Cup 1870 - 1880

This striking Egg Cup was crafted in glass by Adams and Company. Notice its green color and the pattern of raised circles covering its surface; this is an example of hobnail glass, popular in the late 19th century, evoking the textures of nature. The hobnail pattern, a series of raised bumps, echoes forms seen across cultures and eras. The ancient Greeks used similar patterns in jewelry, and we find comparable textures in the decorative arts of the Renaissance. These rounded shapes, reminiscent of seeds or drops of water, suggest fertility, abundance, and the cyclical nature of life. Consider, too, the Freudian reading: these repetitive, rounded forms might tap into our earliest, subconscious memories of nourishment and comfort. The emotional draw of this piece comes from the tactile quality the artist creates with light and texture. The pattern plays with light, creating a sense of depth and shadow that engages viewers on a primal level. The recurring use of circular shapes in both the bumps and the form's design points to a continuum of symbols that continue to resurface across generations.