Champagne Flute c. 19th century

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this striking “Champagne Flute," created around the 19th century by J. & L. Lobmeyr, part of the decorative arts collection here at the Art Institute. What are your immediate thoughts? Editor: Elegance, of course. But there’s also an undercurrent of exclusion here. Objects like these were made for elite rituals, reinforcing social hierarchies through consumption and taste. Curator: An interesting observation. Looking purely at form, the etched glass presents a compelling study in verticality. Note how the design elongates the flute’s stem. Then, consider the delicate balance between transparency and detail, how the engraved motifs catch the light. Editor: While acknowledging the craftsmanship, I see more. Etched grapevines are hardly neutral decoration. They connect this flute to historical agricultural systems, colonial economies that profited from exploited labor. Every sip from this glass carried a backstory of inequity. Curator: I can see how you draw connections to the historical backdrop. And if you examine closely, the cut panels along the lip subtly distort and refract light in interesting ways. There’s a real mastery in controlling light and visual perception, almost like early animation, influencing the appearance of what’s inside, wouldn’t you say? Editor: The play of light is undeniable. And the clear nature of the material itself highlights something significant—the cultural values of the time—status and prosperity—that were inherently visible. Opacity simply wouldn’t communicate the same things. The question I’d ask is what remained unseen. Curator: A wonderful challenge. Studying an artifact so intensely gives me new eyes to appreciate the precision involved in each etched detail and blown form. Editor: For me, these objects function as crucial prompts for revisiting a difficult legacy, inviting us to reflect on what we choose to celebrate and what stories get overlooked in the act of toasting.