Covered Bowl 1882 - 1887

Hobbs, Brockunier, and Company created this Covered Bowl, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, using pressed glass techniques. Notice the repeating circular motifs across its surface; these aren’t merely decorative. These circles evoke a sense of continuity, mirroring the cosmic cycles observed throughout human history. Consider the ancient fascination with celestial bodies—the sun, moon, and stars—and how they've been rendered as spheres in countless cultural artifacts, ranging from Roman orbs to celestial maps. The orb-like shape suggests containment and mystery, stirring a deep, perhaps subconscious, longing for wholeness. The simple yet evocative form, with its repetitive pattern, engages us on an emotional level, tapping into the primal human desire for order and understanding within the cosmos. Ultimately, these symbols continue to resonate, their meanings shifting and evolving, yet still echoing through the ages.