Flip glass 18th-19th century

Curator: This delicate object is known as a "Flip Glass," dating from sometime between the 18th and 19th centuries, and it resides here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: It feels so ephemeral. The transparency, of course, but also the subtle faceting and the barely-there etching near the rim. It looks like capturing light itself. Curator: Glassware of this period, especially pieces intended for daily use, carries such intimate connections to rituals of hospitality and social gatherings. Think of the stories it silently witnessed! Editor: Precisely, it's this play of form and pattern that fascinates. The diamond cuts create a dazzling optical effect, almost distorting reality while you're drinking. Curator: Those cut facets aren't merely decorative. Consider their practical purpose: they also provide a grip! It shows how function and form can intertwine beautifully. It suggests value put on conviviality; a gentle passing down of a cherished family object between the generations... Editor: I’m struck by the contrast between the rigorous geometric pattern on the body and the almost whimsical etching around the rim. Does that combination tell us anything about the values or aesthetic preferences of the time? Curator: Certainly, it displays the intersection of tradition with newer ideals. The etching incorporates floral and geometric motifs suggesting cultural reverence for the natural world— and, above all, perhaps a need to render everyday life more beautiful. The simple act of toasting elevates mundane glass to cultural carrier... Editor: A carrier of visual harmony—and sparkling illusion. Gazing at the patterned glass reveals a hidden geometry within something as simple as a vessel, doesn't it? A quiet beauty we risk overlooking these days... Curator: Exactly! It embodies echoes from generations before us and helps ground ourselves in cultural roots we might easily misplace otherwise... Editor: Beautiful. We have been speaking about something seemingly so humble as to provide just one singular glimpse, if nothing more, into different eyes and experiences; revealing the rich textures and patterns in simple designs.