Cordial Glass c. 19th century

This delicate cordial glass, of unknown date and maker, is made of glass and sits in the Minneapolis Institute of Art collection. The first impression is of crystalline clarity; the glass seems almost to disappear, foregrounding the beverage it would contain. Note how the anonymous artisan uses a composition of simple, geometric forms: the circular base leads to a slender, cylindrical stem, topped with a conical bowl. This structure isn't just functional; it's a carefully calibrated play of shapes and proportions, creating a visual rhythm that is satisfying to the eye. The glass has a certain Platonic ideality, a perfect embodiment of its form. Consider how the glass challenges our perception, blurring the line between object and void, form and function. It invites us to reflect on the beauty of simple forms and the subtle ways that design can shape our experience.