Tumbler 1887 - 1896

This glass tumbler was produced by Hobbs, Brockunier and Company between 1863 and 1891. It is made from mold-blown glass. If you look closely, you can see rows of spherical indentations covering the surface. Hobbs, Brockunier and Company were based in Wheeling, West Virginia, and were known for their innovative glassmaking. This tumbler shows the firm's interest in exploring the relationship between machine production and handcraftsmanship, and their experiments to find new decorative techniques. The mold-blown process allowed for relatively quick and efficient manufacturing. Despite its industrial origins, the pattern of raised spheres gives the tumbler a tactile, almost organic quality. Each sphere catches the light differently, creating a dynamic play of light and shadow across the surface. The making of this seemingly simple object required a combination of technical skill, design innovation, and factory labor. This challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft, and showing how industrial processes could be used to create objects of beauty and interest.