Tumbler 1885 - 1888

This tumbler was crafted by Richards and Hartley Flint Glass Co. sometime between 1867 and 1890. Notice the pattern: rows and columns of raised circles, uniform, almost like bubbles clinging to the glass. This motif of repeated, rounded forms has deep roots. Consider the ancient Roman mosaics where tesserae, small, rounded stones, formed images. The bubbled design echoes the same impulse to build something larger from aggregated pieces. Bubbles, like those seen here, are a universal symbol, evoking ideas from fragility to effervescence. They appear across cultures, in the decorative arts, and even in philosophical allegories about the fleeting nature of life. Each tiny globe reflects light, creating a shimmering surface that's both playful and captivating. It reminds us that even the simplest object can carry the weight of cultural memory, revealing how forms persist, evolve, and capture our imagination across time.