Pitcher 1884 - 1886

This pitcher was made at the Reading Artistic Glass Works, a short-lived glass manufactory in Pennsylvania. It showcases the technique of threading, where molten glass is dripped onto the surface of the vessel as it rotates, creating these elegant spiral lines. The application of glass threads demands a lot of skill. The glassblower had to maintain a precise temperature gradient and work with considerable speed. The handle was likely created separately and then carefully attached. Reading Artistic Glass Works, despite its brief existence, aimed to compete with established European glassmakers by combining industrial production with artistic design. This pitcher, therefore, embodies the intersection of labor, material, and ambition, blurring the lines between functional object and artistic expression. By appreciating the labor-intensive processes involved, we can see that the pitcher is more than just a drinking vessel; it is a testament to human ingenuity and the rich history of glassmaking.