Tumbler 1887 - 1896

This glass tumbler, made by Hobbs, Brockunier and Company, presents a fascinating study in texture and form. The surface is covered in raised spherical nodes arranged in a uniform pattern, resembling rows of pearls. Consider these nodes, each a self-contained unit, yet collectively forming a unified surface. They echo the ancient motif of the orb, a symbol laden with meanings of wholeness, the cosmos, and cyclical existence. Recall the orbs held by rulers in countless portraits, emblems of dominion and divine sanction. Here, however, the orb is democratized, replicated en masse across a utilitarian object. The repetition creates a tactile and visual rhythm, one that engages the eye and hand. This design hints at an unconscious desire for order and control but, as with any symbol, meaning is subjective. Through memory and cultural context, the nodes may evoke feelings of comfort, security, or perhaps even a sense of being overwhelmed by uniformity. It all comes back around.