Celery Vase 1822 - 1825

This celery vase was produced by Bakewell, Page & Bakewell, a company known for its innovations in glassmaking during the 19th century. At the time, glass was not just a functional material, but also a symbol of wealth and social status, especially in a burgeoning American economy. Consider, for a moment, the dining tables of the era. Etiquette dictated not just what you ate, but how it was presented. Celery, then a delicacy, would have been displayed upright in such a vase, signaling the host's refinement. But who was present at these tables? Who had access to such displays of status? And perhaps more importantly, who made them? The skilled laborers, often working in harsh conditions, whose expertise enabled such displays of elegance? This vase is more than a vessel. It reflects a complex interplay of class, labor, and the emerging American identity. It's a reminder of the stories, often unseen, behind the objects we cherish.