Covered Urn 1810 - 1830

This covered urn was made by the Waterford Glasshouse, though we don’t know exactly when. Waterford, in Ireland, became famous for its exquisitely crafted glass in the late 18th century, establishing itself as a producer of luxury goods for a wealthy, mainly British, clientele. The urn speaks to the politics of imagery because its shape recalls ancient Greek pottery, thus alluding to a classical ideal of beauty and taste. At the time this urn was likely made, Irish culture was heavily influenced by British aesthetic preferences and social values. Glassware companies like Waterford catered to the tastes of the British market, shaping their production and reception. Understanding this artwork requires studying the social conditions of Ireland under British rule and the institutional history of the Waterford Glasshouse. Researching the economic relationship between Ireland and Britain at the time, as well as the social class for whom such luxury objects were intended, will reveal the significance of this elegant urn.