Decanter 18th-19th century

This clear glass decanter, now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, was made anonymously, and its date is uncertain. The decanter's pressed glass patterns reveal a specific history, both aesthetic and industrial. Clear glass allowed makers to show off the material's inherent qualities of light transmission and purity. The decanter was likely made by pressing molten glass into a mold, a process developed in the 19th century that transformed the glass industry by dramatically lowering the price. This process democratized glasswares, making it available to a broader public. The decanter’s design incorporates both vertical ribs and an elaborate diamond and sunburst pattern. The texture of the glass catches the light, adding visual interest. This kind of surface decoration disguised the fact that it was mass produced. Considering this object, we must challenge traditional art history notions, because here, material and methods of making intersect with social and cultural significance.