Mug 1870 - 1890

This mug was made out of non-leaded pressed glass by Adams and Company. Though it is difficult to put an exact date on this piece, it may be useful to consider its institutional context. Adams and Company was one of many glass manufacturers based in the United States during the late 19th century. These companies made a variety of glassware, from utilitarian objects like this mug to more decorative pieces. In this era, glass manufacturing had become increasingly industrialized, with new technologies allowing for mass production and lower costs. The rise of industrial production and increasing population created new markets for goods, which in turn contributed to the expansion of transportation networks and the growth of cities. Further research into the history of glass production in the United States as well as distribution networks and cost comparisons would help us better understand the mug's historical context. We can better understand art when we consider the social and institutional context of its production.