Spoon Rack 1885 - 1894

This is a pressed glass spoon rack, possibly made by the Canton Glass Company sometime between 1879 and 1899. Spoon racks were common household items during the late 19th century, reflecting a growing culture of domesticity and consumerism in America. With its clear glass and delicate design, the spoon rack embodies a sense of refinement, while the elephant figurine introduces a complex colonial narrative. Elephants, exoticized and appropriated as symbols of power, also reflect a broader dynamic of cultural appropriation prevalent during the Victorian era. The presence of the elephant complicates the spoon rack's status as a mere domestic object, turning it into a site of cultural encounter and exchange. Consider how this everyday object, elevated by its design and symbolic elements, might reflect both the aspirations and the anxieties of its time.