Bowl 18th-19th century

Editor: Here we have an 18th or 19th century glass bowl, attributed to an anonymous maker and part of the Minneapolis Institute of Art's collection. There's a quietness to its simplicity, almost stark. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, from a historical standpoint, the apparent plainness is deceptive. A simple glass bowl in the 18th or 19th century reflects profound shifts in material culture and social hierarchies. Glass, once a luxury, was becoming increasingly accessible. This piece tells us about evolving industrial techniques and consumer habits. Have you considered how seemingly mundane objects gain social value and meaning over time? Editor: I haven't, but that's a great point. It’s strange to think about how ubiquitous clear glass is now. I guess it's easy to overlook its significance. The accessibility indicates greater democratisation perhaps? Curator: Precisely! We might even think of the bowl as an embodiment of bourgeois values emphasizing utility, cleanliness, and order, a contrast to ornate aristocratic tastes. Did anyone use a similar bowl at home? Editor: Funny you ask. We did, growing up, to store ingredients for cooking. It's almost... nostalgic now that I think of it! Curator: So, it transcends being simply an object, becoming imbued with personal and collective memories and associations. Editor: I guess even a simple bowl has stories to tell about society, technology, and ourselves. Curator: Exactly. The bowl’s story invites us to think about what everyday objects reveal about historical change and cultural meaning.