Bowl 1835 - 1865

This clear, pressed-glass bowl was made by the Redwood Glass Company, which operated in Redwood, New York, between 1828 and 1868. Although the factory was relatively short-lived, its products are fascinating as examples of the transformation of craft production through industrialization. While glass blowing had long been a skilled trade, the industrial revolution saw the introduction of new technologies like pressing machines that could mass-produce glassware quickly and cheaply. The bowl is likely a product of this mechanized process. Looking at the social and economic conditions of the time, we can see how the bowl reflects both the aspirations and the limitations of the industrial age. It speaks to a growing middle class with access to affordable, mass-produced goods. The existence of the Redwood Glass Company also shows the potential for industry to spread outside established urban centers. By studying historical records, business archives, and the material culture of the time, we can gain a deeper understanding of the Redwood Glass Company and the role it played in shaping the landscape of American industry.