Wine Glass 1870 - 1890

Curator: This elegant piece before us, crafted by Adams and Company between 1870 and 1890, is simply titled "Wine Glass". The glasswork is a refreshing study in simplicity, currently residing here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: Oh, my, isn’t it delightful? The pale green hue and those raised circular details all over…it's utterly charming. Almost feels like something from a fairy tale. Curator: Adams and Company were key figures in the American glass industry at that time, contributing significantly to the decorative arts movement and the democratization of refined aesthetics. These pressed glass pieces made elegance accessible. Editor: Those small, textured circles immediately bring to mind clusters of grapes, fitting for a wine glass, no? And that delicate green, so like new vine growth, a hint of spring… such resonant imagery. Curator: Exactly, although the precise intention might be hard to recover. I find it fascinating how objects like these enter everyday life, becoming part of cultural memory without necessarily being ‘high’ art, yet so many households owned something just like this, setting tables, staging parties, celebrating milestones. Editor: Oh, definitely, it represents the rise of accessible beauty, of affordable style. Those circular motifs may even evoke the abundance and conviviality associated with wine itself—celebration and friendship in a glass. The color too would have appealed to a broad swathe of Americans Curator: Though practical and replicable thanks to industrial methods, there’s an artistry in the subtle proportions and pleasing design; and it speaks to a new consumer culture. It’s quite satisfying to consider how everyday objects carry meaning beyond just their function. Editor: Yes! It seems such a simple piece, yet that evocative green speaks of hope, while the raised designs offer an almost tactile invitation. I like knowing this cup holds memories, dreams of generations past. Curator: Indeed, and considering it, even today, encourages us to think about art's place within our lives and the subtle visual language we consume constantly. Editor: A toast, then, to that ongoing conversation with beauty.