Pan c. 1825

This is a glass bowl, made by the Mantua Glass Works sometime between 1821 and 1829. The name 'Pan', referencing the ancient Greek god of the wild, suggests that this bowl was intended to evoke an Arcadian, pre-industrial past. As such, it could be seen as an early example of cultural appropriation. Mantua Glass Works operated in Mantua, Ohio, one of the many glassworks that popped up in the early 19th century, close to the natural resources needed for glass production, such as sand, wood, and coal. The establishment of glassworks in Ohio contributed to the industrial and economic development of the United States in the 19th century. Such institutions and their products testify to the expansion of capitalism and the growth of a consumer culture in the early American republic. To understand this work better, we might consult early trade publications as well as local and state historical records.