Windowpane 1833 - 1836

This windowpane was made in the early 19th century by the Wheeling Flint Glass Works. It’s made of glass, but don’t let that fool you; this isn’t just a transparent surface to look through. It's an object of decoration. Look closely, and you will see the intricate floral and architectural designs, created through a process known as stipple engraving. This involved countless tiny taps with a hammer and tool, to create a constellation of indentations. The result is a delicate, almost lace-like texture, which plays with light and shadow in a captivating way. Consider the labor involved in producing such a piece. Each dot represents a moment of focused attention, skill, and repetition. This was a time when industrial production was on the rise, and objects like this reveal the complex relationship between handcraft and industrial manufacture. This windowpane invites us to reconsider our understanding of glass not just as a functional material, but as a medium for artistic expression, embedded with cultural significance, and skilled labor.