Compote 1855 - 1870

This ruby-stained compote was created by the New England Glass Company, a major force in American glassmaking during the 19th century. The opulence of this piece speaks volumes about the era in which it was created. The mid-1800s saw the rise of a wealthy merchant class in America, and with it, a taste for luxury goods. This compote, with its intricate cut glass and vibrant color, was undoubtedly intended to grace the table of a well-to-do family, becoming a symbol of their status and success. But there’s another, less visible story here. The production of glass, then as now, relied on the labor of many, often underpaid workers, so it is also representative of class divisions. Consider too, what this bowl might have held: perhaps fruit imported from afar, or sweets made with sugar cultivated by enslaved people. This seemingly simple object invites us to consider the complex web of social, economic, and racial histories that underpin our material world.