Tulip Vase 1835 - 1845

This vibrant cobalt blue tulip vase, made by an anonymous glassmaker, is a striking example of pressed glass. In pressed glass production, molten glass is forced into a mold using a plunger. This allowed for the efficient replication of intricate patterns, like the vase’s fluted body and scalloped rim. The process democratized access to decorative glassware, making stylish objects available to a wider market. Notice the crispness of the details, achieved through industrial methods rather than the hand-craftsmanship of blown glass. While perhaps not celebrated as high art, objects like this vase were central to the visual culture of their time. The deep blue color, achieved by adding metallic oxides to the molten glass, would have been especially prized. Considering the means of production allows us to appreciate the vase not just for its aesthetic qualities, but also as a product of its social and economic context.