Goblet 1850 - 1855

This striking blue goblet was made by the Brooklyn Flint Glass Company sometime in the mid-19th century. Its intricate, repeating diamond pattern wasn't painted on, but painstakingly cut into the glass itself. The process began with blowing the glass into a basic form. Then, while still hot, the glass would have been pressed into a mold to create the overall shape. The real artistry came with the cutting. Craftsmen used rotating iron or copper wheels, fed with abrasive slurries, to grind away the surface, creating facets that catch and refract light. This labor-intensive process highlights an interesting tension. On the one hand, the goblet speaks to the rise of industrial production, with companies like Brooklyn Flint Glass aiming for mass markets. But on the other hand, the high level of skill required to produce an object like this connects it to older traditions of craftsmanship, where the maker's hand was paramount. It is a perfect reminder that even in the age of machines, human skill is central.