Cordial glass c. 1870

This cordial glass set with its box was made by an anonymous maker, with both glass and wood. The set’s appeal arises from the contrast between the cool, precise glasswork and the warm, figured grain of the wooden box. Consider the fine tooling of the gold trim on each glass. Such details speak to a culture of luxury and social ritual. The box itself is an object of great craft, with perfectly mitered corners and delicate brass hardware. It protects the fragile glasses within, but also elevates them – making a virtue of refinement and display. Ultimately, this set embodies a tension between utility and status. It’s a functional object, yes, but one also intended to impress. The maker clearly understood the power of materials to convey social meaning, creating a miniature world of privilege and taste.