Cordial Glass 1865 - 1870

This small cordial glass was created by the New England Glass Company, sometime in the 19th century. The immediate visual impression is one of clarity and geometrical precision, achieved with clear colorless glass. The shape is defined by strong vertical lines rising to form the bowl, which is adorned with repeating ovoid patterns. What does this form achieve? The glass can be understood as a sign, its structure designed to convey certain meanings and values. The symmetrical form and the transparency of the material suggest order and purity. But these visual elements also engage with the semiotics of class and culture: the craftsmanship speaks to luxury, refinement and the rituals of social drinking. Consider how the material transformation, from raw substance to a refined object, reflects broader cultural narratives about progress and the relationship between nature and artifice. In essence, this glass invites us to reflect on the codes and structures that shape our perceptions and social interactions.