Figured flask 1830

Editor: Here we have a figured flask crafted around 1830, made by J.R. Robinson and Sons. The amethyst glass is so striking! It's really interesting how functional objects like this were designed with so much artistry. What’s your take on it? Curator: Well, beyond its aesthetic appeal, consider the means of production here. The Robinson firm mass-produced glassware; therefore this "figured flask" signals the transition to industrial manufacture. Think about the labor required to produce such an object and the access to these materials, particularly the batch formulas required for this specific purpled glass. Editor: I see what you mean! So, it is not just about the look, but the process and the broader economics of the time? Curator: Precisely. Notice the pressed design itself: it mimics hand-cut glass, attempting to appear more luxurious. Is it truly opulent or merely aspirational? Editor: Aspirational, definitely! Trying to fool the eye, I guess. So the aesthetic choices point back to the social ambition of both the maker and the buyer. How does its materiality - the colored glass - play into that? Curator: Glass in the 19th century relied heavily on social chemistries for colorants, each addition changing not only hues but social value. So what did this type of glass communicate in terms of its creation and consumption at that time? Editor: That's a whole new way of thinking about something as simple as a flask. I'll definitely look at objects differently now. Curator: Good. Now when you view art, try always asking yourself questions that reveal the networks of its production. You'll discover amazing things!