Vase c. 1875 - 1880

This fifteen-inch-tall glass vase was created by Thomas Webb & Sons, a company that flourished during the height of the British Empire. Consider the cultural context of Victorian England, a time marked by rigid social hierarchies and imperial expansion. Glassware like this became a symbol of status, reflecting aspirations of refinement and global reach. But these objects belie the complex stories of labor and resources extracted from colonized lands. Notice the intricate details and the delicate craftsmanship; these designs often drew inspiration from exoticized depictions of foreign cultures. How did the artistry of imported goods inform design aesthetics in Europe? The vase invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between beauty, power, and representation inherent in decorative arts of the era. It makes me consider the emotional weight of objects touched by histories of privilege.