Liquor glass 18th-19th century

This liquor glass of unknown origin sits quietly in our display. We can use our imagination to explore its significance. Consider that for centuries, alcohol production and consumption have been deeply interwoven with societal structures. It’s a commodity that reflects gendered expectations and class divisions. Men traditionally dominated the spaces of taverns and saloons. Liquor consumption has often been associated with masculinity and social bonding. Conversely, women’s relationship with alcohol has historically been policed, sometimes celebrated but also frequently stigmatized. Who might have held this glass? Was it a symbol of conviviality, or a tool of oppression, numbing the pain of daily life? The anonymity of its maker leaves us to contemplate the countless untold stories of those who have both celebrated and suffered with the aid of spirits. This simple glass invites us to reflect on the complex and often contradictory roles that alcohol plays in shaping our lives and communities.