Sherry Glass 1882 - 1887

This sherry glass was made by Hobbs, Brockunier and Company, sometime between 1863 and 1891. It's made of pressed glass, a technique that was still relatively new at that time. Pressed glass was revolutionary because it allowed for mass production. Hot glass is forced into a mold using a plunger, and the result is a piece that is quickly and consistently shaped, though often with a slightly lower level of refinement than hand-blown glass. You can see the regular, repeating pattern of raised circles; this is a direct result of the mold-pressing process. Hobbs, Brockunier, and Company was one of the largest producers of pressed glass in the United States during the late 19th century. This Sherry Glass represents how industrialization was transforming not only the ways objects were made, but also how they were circulated and consumed. This one object shows us the dynamics of labor, industrial production, and consumer culture.