Blown moulded pan or bowl 18th-19th century

Curator: Look at this captivating Blown Moulded Pan or Bowl, crafted sometime in the 18th to 19th century, origin unknown, but now residing here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: It appears so delicate and simple, almost ethereal, yet simultaneously sturdy. The repeated patterns create a sense of movement that draws the eye inward. Curator: The bowl is fashioned from glass and is an excellent example of how blown moulding can produce complex, repeating designs. You can see concentric circles on the interior base, complemented by a honeycomb texture in the lower part of the bowl's outer walls. Editor: I find myself wondering about the table it sat on centuries ago. The glass is transparent; a lot can be told about the owner of this simple everyday life artifact depending on its location in the historical context. What sort of meals were served from it, and who were the people gathered around? Was it a source of abundance, or even survival? Curator: That’s fascinating. From a purely design standpoint, the repeating pattern reflects both craftsmanship and early industrialization. Mass production makes such patterned repetition much more prevalent but what did it mean to have multiples in your home during that era? It prompts questions about democratization, domestic life, the burgeoning market, and consumer culture in general. Editor: Absolutely, its production signifies shifts in resource accessibility and perhaps the emerging middle classes. Owning such a decorative, rather than strictly utilitarian piece speaks volumes about the household's status and available resources at a period of political shift. This connects the object deeply with contemporary conversations about the socioeconomics of craft versus industry. Curator: It's fascinating to see how an object designed for everyday utility transcends its intended function through its design, materiality, and construction. A common bowl speaks volumes to any astute, historical-minded beholder. Editor: Indeed. This unassuming bowl invites reflection upon histories and voices too often missing in dominant narratives of that time, bringing us that much closer to the individuals who shaped our collective past.