Goblet 1870 - 1890

This striking goblet was produced by Challinor, Taylor and Company, sometime between 1866 and 1891. Its vibrant swirls of color are achieved through a technique known as "slag glass," made popular in late 19th century America, particularly in the Ohio River Valley. The distinctive marbled effect was created by adding impurities to the molten glass. But this wasn't about artistic expression alone. The rise of industrial glass production allowed companies like Challinor, Taylor, and Company to mass-produce affordable glassware for a burgeoning middle class. Slag glass, with its imitation of more expensive natural stones like marble, democratized luxury. It offered a taste of refinement to those who couldn't afford handcrafted pieces. To understand this goblet, we can explore the company's history, study glassmaking techniques of the period, and delve into the social history of consumerism in America. This object tells a story about a changing society.