Champagne Glass c. 19th century

This clear glass champagne glass, now held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, was made anonymously. Champagne glasses, like this one, are steeped in a rich history of celebration and luxury. Their use has been traditionally associated with elite social circles, and they have often symbolized success. As such, these glasses don’t just hold liquid; they also hold a certain cultural cachet. Their presence at events marks occasions as special, almost like a stage setting for life’s pivotal moments. Despite their elegant simplicity, objects such as these implicitly reflect issues of class and access, since luxury items were historically available only to a select few. Even now, the act of raising a champagne glass speaks to a desire for belonging and connection, but also, perhaps, to the complexities of social inclusion.