Square plate c. 1860

This square plate, by an anonymous maker, is made of molded glass. The manipulation of molten glass into a mold allowed for mass production. The plate’s design features sharp angles and geometric patterns, typical of the Art Deco style, and is given texture through the mold. You can see the maker controlled the molten glass with precision, creating defined edges, and a surface texture that catches the light. Considering its form and function, the plate suggests an interesting relationship between craft and industry. While its design reflects the aesthetic sensibilities of the time, its production speaks to a broader shift towards industrial manufacturing and consumption. Though we do not know its maker, understanding the social context helps us understand the object's full meaning, and challenges traditional distinctions between design and craft.