Cordial Glass 1850 - 1870

This striking cordial glass was made by Bakewell, Pears and Company. Blown and cut from lead glass, this object reflects a specific moment in the history of American manufacturing. The firm of Bakewell, Pears was one of the first factories in the United States to produce cut glass on a large scale. Their early success depended on access to high-quality raw materials, skilled European immigrant labor, and savvy marketing. Note the crispness of the decoration, which would have been achieved by holding the glass against a series of rotating abrasive wheels. While the glass is not dated, the company was at its peak in the mid-19th century; this was also the heyday of cut glass production. Pieces like this were proudly displayed in middle-class homes as a symbol of status. This object, then, can be appreciated both for its visual appeal, and for its significance as a material record of American ambition.