Covered Sugar Bowl 1875 - 1890

This "Covered Sugar Bowl," crafted by George Duncan and Sons, presents a fascinating exploration of form through glass. The clear glass is shaped into a symmetrical, almost classical form, with delicate floral etchings providing a subtle textural contrast to the smooth surface. Notice the composition of the bowl and the jug; they are elevated on stems featuring sculpted faces, adding a human element to these otherwise utilitarian objects. The faces, frozen in expression, serve as structural support and symbolic figures that challenge our ideas of surface and support. The craftsmanship involves both transparency and depth. Light filters through the clear glass, creating an interplay of shadow and illumination that emphasizes the object's contours. The floral designs, seemingly etched onto the surface, provide a superficial and symbolic layer to the artwork. The sugar bowl and jug is not merely functional; it is a study in contrasts, where transparency meets opacity, smoothness meets texture, and classical form meets modern sensibility. Its structure offers a visual and intellectual treat, and it invites us to consider how form shapes function and meaning.