"Log Cabin" pattern covered dish c. 1875

This "Log Cabin" pattern covered dish was produced in the United States by the Central Glass Company sometime between 1867 and 1896. But why a log cabin? During this period in America, there was a widespread fascination with the idea of the self-made man, rising from humble origins to achieve greatness. The log cabin, a symbol of frontier life and simple beginnings, became a potent political image. Abraham Lincoln's rise from a log cabin to the White House was a key part of his political appeal. The mass production of this glass dish reflects the industrialization of America and the desire to connect with an idealized past. Examining company records and historical catalogs can tell us more about how such objects were marketed and consumed. Ultimately, this seemingly simple dish speaks volumes about American identity, political symbolism, and the complex relationship between progress and nostalgia.