Figured flask 1852 - 1855

Editor: This object, a Figured Flask dating back to between 1852 and 1855, was crafted by McCarty and Torreyson. It's currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Looking at its shape and the colour of the glass, I’m curious about its function. How should we interpret the images? Curator: I see this as a product of its time, revealing much about industrialization and consumer culture. The molded glass, which allows for replication, suggests a shift towards mass production of decorative and utilitarian objects. Consider the division of labor that was required for production. What might that indicate about working class experiences during that era? Editor: I never thought about how the industrial process connects with working conditions. Now, considering it's a flask, could this glass production reflect changing drinking habits or availability of alcohol? Curator: Precisely. The production and consumption of these flasks can be contextualized within a broader narrative of leisure, commerce, and even social class. How does the choice of imagery – a figure and what appears to be a musical instrument – influence our perception? What materials, resources, and processes were required? What kind of cultural statement was the owner hoping to make when buying one of these? Editor: That’s fascinating! Looking at the flask now, I am rethinking my idea of craft: what I used to see as a simple object now is more like an artefact revealing social and economic contexts. Curator: Exactly, by investigating the materials and means of production, the historical role this plays comes sharply into focus. I, for one, will never see things the same way.