Orange Glass 1750 - 1780

This glass vase, made by an anonymous artist, is a testament to the ubiquity of functional art. Its clear surface, cut with geometric patterns, speaks to the complex relationship between objects, daily life, and social class. Objects like these were often part of a household's display of wealth. The craftsmanship required to produce such delicate work indicates a certain economic status, both for the maker and the owner. Whose labor made this object possible and who was it meant for? The anonymity of the artist invites reflection on the often-unacknowledged labor that goes into creating the objects that shape our lives. The vase, in its quiet beauty, prompts us to think about the politics embedded in the everyday and the stories that objects can tell about society, status, and the uncredited artisans who create them.