Cordial Glass 1882 - 1887

Editor: So, this is a glass cordial glass, made sometime between 1882 and 1887 by Hobbs, Brockunier and Company. The texture reminds me of reptile scales. It’s darker than I thought it would be. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, at first glance, I see a chalice. It evokes medieval banquets and rituals, promises of plenty. Notice the repetition of those circular indentations. Doesn’t that honeycomb pattern feel incredibly symbolic? What associations does "the hive" hold for you? Editor: I guess industry, community... something a little...oppressive maybe? Curator: Precisely! The late 19th century, the time this glass was created, was obsessed with productivity and burgeoning industry, just as we still are today. Mass production was becoming ubiquitous. Perhaps this patterned surface reflects the anxieties about losing individuality to industrialization? This glass cordial promises sweetness, but also suggests constraint. Editor: That’s a fascinating take! I hadn’t considered how something functional like a glass could hold such complex anxieties about the era. Curator: Everything we create, from the simplest tool to the grandest monument, becomes a carrier of cultural memory. It reflects our values and fears, sometimes in ways we aren't even conscious of. So, the next time you pick up a glass, think about all the unspoken meanings it might be holding. Editor: Definitely! This has really changed how I see everyday objects. Curator: For me too! A wonderful perspective.