Bottle 1835 - 1845

Curator: Here we have a "Bottle," likely crafted between 1835 and 1845, now residing at The Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: The spiraling grooves are incredibly tactile, they wrap around like waves and the rich amber tone feels unexpectedly warm. Curator: It is quite beautiful, especially when you consider the context of its production. This bottle would likely have been produced in a factory setting, where the division of labor would have led to both specialization and potentially alienation of the workers crafting it. Editor: Exactly, it speaks to how everyday objects still carry an artistry and process worthy of notice, pushing back against high-low art distinctions. And look at the way those grooves catch the light. Curator: I find myself pondering what kind of establishment it might have been found in. A humble tavern dispensing whiskey, or perhaps an apothecary meticulously measuring medicine. Its function deeply impacts its potential audience and thus, its role in society. Editor: It’s almost a document of its time. Each curve in the glass, each bubble trapped within tells us something about the making of it. It becomes an important study object when considered as one thing of very many, especially from this era. Curator: A single bottle offers so many rich layers of analysis; social class, labor practices, the development of industry. All interwoven in the simplest of forms. Editor: It is compelling to consider all those contributing hands who blew it, twisted it, and perhaps what spirits may once have filled it. These aren't grand events we are taught in school but still very worth looking into. Curator: It really showcases how an object considered “utilitarian” in one moment gains entirely new importance when examined closely later on. Editor: It gives one great food for thought regarding craft, production, consumption, and legacy for something that otherwise might not have been examined.