Mug 1860 - 1880

Editor: Right now we're looking at a clear glass mug, crafted sometime between 1860 and 1880 by the New England Glass Company. It’s currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I’m immediately drawn to its simplicity. The etched initials, and starburst base give it a personal touch, and also a touch of elegance. What's your take on this seemingly simple piece? Curator: Simple it may seem, yet, I feel a sense of both celebration and everyday use radiating from it. Look closer. The clear glass allows the liquid held within to become part of the aesthetic. The etching, perhaps initials of a loved one or the owner themselves. It tells a story, doesn’t it? Of toasts, quiet mornings, of ritual. The way the light refracts through the glass…it almost feels like capturing fleeting moments. Do you agree, or am I romanticizing it? Editor: No, I think you're right! The way the light interacts with the glass base now stands out. Curator: Exactly! That’s where the artistry sings to me. The glassmakers weren’t just crafting a drinking vessel; they were creating a canvas. It's whispering secrets of another era, right? How life was, the importance of those quiet moments, the value placed on personalization even in everyday objects. It's like a haiku, isn’t it? Few words, big feelings. What feelings arise in you as you observe its lines? Editor: It definitely makes you think about how something so practical can still carry a lot of meaning. A functional sculpture of sorts. Thanks, I hadn’t considered it from that perspective at first. Curator: It makes me think, sometimes the quietest objects have the loudest stories. We just have to listen carefully to hear what secrets they hold. A lovely piece!