Water glass 18th-19th century

This water glass was likely made by an anonymous glassworker, using techniques developed over centuries. It probably began with molten glass gathered from a furnace. The glassblower would have shaped it, possibly using a mold to achieve the tumbler form with its subtle vertical ribs. Notice the delicate etched decoration near the rim, added by a specialist, after the glass cooled. Consider the labor involved in producing something so seemingly simple. The intense heat of the furnace, the coordinated movements of the glassblower, the precise hand of the etcher – all reflecting a specific social context of industrial production. This glass challenges our ideas about art versus craft, reminding us that everyday objects can embody great skill and tell important stories about labor and material culture.