Bottle c. 18th century

This clear glass bottle was made anonymously, and it is hard to say exactly when. But we can still learn a lot from it. Notice the fine spiral pattern within the glass. This wasn't applied to the surface, but is integral to the material, meaning that the bottle was likely made using a mold into which molten glass was blown. This was an important step in the industrialization of glassmaking. As you can imagine, this method allowed for much more efficient production than free-blowing, where the glassblower shapes each vessel by hand. The bottle’s simple, functional form reflects this shift towards mass manufacture. It makes you think about the sheer number of bottles that have been produced over the centuries. Though humble, this object offers a fascinating glimpse into the relationship between design, labor, and consumer culture.