Figure Dish 1880 - 1890

Editor: Here we have the "Figure Dish," made between 1880 and 1890 by McKee and Brothers. It's made of glass, shaped into a swan sitting in a basket. It has such a smooth, almost pearlescent quality to it. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, looking at it through a materialist lens, it’s not just a decorative piece; it speaks to the burgeoning glass industry of the late 19th century. Consider the industrial processes required to create something like this with such precision. Milk glass, in particular, became popular for its affordability and mimicry of porcelain. Editor: So, it's less about artistic expression and more about the means of production? Curator: Not entirely. It’s both. The choice of glass and the form – a swan, symbolizing elegance – reflect Victorian society’s aspirations. However, focusing on the material itself and the methods used reveals how industrialization impacted art and craft. This wasn’t a unique piece, likely mass-produced, making luxury accessible to a broader market. How do you think that changed perceptions of art at the time? Editor: That’s interesting! So, owning something 'artistic' wasn't exclusive anymore. Did this lead to new artistic forms? Curator: Precisely. The mechanization democratized aesthetics in a way. And, yes, it spurred the Arts and Crafts movement, partly as a reaction, championing handcrafted items. Seeing the Swan Dish alongside furniture, tools, or even textile samples from the period would allow us to examine the values they placed on craftsmanship versus factory output. Editor: I never thought of considering decorative arts as evidence of production techniques and societal values. Thanks! Curator: It shows that even seemingly simple objects embody complex social and economic narratives. This has given me a whole new angle for my future work.