Pitcher 1884 - 1886

This pitcher was created in Pennsylvania by the Reading Artistic Glass Works between 1884 and 1886, a short-lived outfit that nevertheless left a distinctive mark on American glassmaking. Its white, crackled surface and elegant form speak to the aesthetic aspirations of the late 19th century. The Reading factory was part of a broader industrial expansion that followed the Civil War, as America embraced new technologies and production methods. Glassworks like Reading often aimed to bring art into the home, creating affordable yet stylish objects for a growing middle class. This pitcher, with its refined shape and textured surface, would have been seen as a symbol of taste and refinement. The ephemeral nature of the company reminds us that artistic and economic success are not always aligned. By looking into company records, local histories, and period advertisements, we can better understand the social forces that shaped both the production and the reception of this beautiful, if ultimately ill-fated, object.