Spoon Holder 1885 - 1888

This spoon holder was produced out of flint glass between 1867 and 1890 by the Richards and Hartley Flint Glass Company. As an everyday item, this spoon holder prompts us to think about industrialization and consumption in America during the late 19th century. The regularity of the molded glass points to mass production, a sign of the burgeoning industry of the time. Forms like this one speak to the Victorian era's emphasis on domesticity and elaborate table settings. Factories like Richards and Hartley were meeting the demands of a growing middle class eager to display its prosperity through consumer goods. Yet, behind this lay complex labor relations in a rapidly industrializing society. Understanding an object like this involves delving into the archives of glass manufacturers, trade catalogs, and social histories. Appreciating such artifacts reminds us that art and design are deeply entwined with social conditions and institutional forces.