Dish 1860 - 1880

Curator: Ah, look at this gem! This is a "Dish," crafted from glass sometime between 1860 and 1880 by Hobbs, Brockunier and Company. It's part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. Editor: You know, seeing this piece immediately made me think of sunlight filtered through water. It’s delicate and surprisingly bold, like a memory just on the edge of clarity. Curator: Yes! Glassware from this period often aimed to capture that shimmering quality, didn't it? There’s a radial design at the center, almost like a bursting star. Symbolically, the star frequently represents hope, guidance, even divinity. To me, the symmetry is both comforting and a bit grandiose. Editor: Grandiose is spot-on! But what fascinates me is how it plays with light and shadow. The scalloped edges feel almost playful, a touch unexpected considering the overall formality of the star motif. It’s as if they’re saying, "Even refinement has a little wiggle room." It feels human. Curator: The craftsmanship involved would have been quite meticulous. This wasn't mass-produced in the way we understand it today. Each facet, each curve, would have required careful attention. Reflecting social aspirations and advancements during the Victorian era. It brings up so many thoughts! Editor: It does! In its quiet way, this dish whispers of an era, capturing a moment when functional objects became a canvas for artistic expression and quiet, luxurious aspiration. One could gaze at this glass all day and drift. Curator: Yes, thank you. After contemplating it closely, it strikes me that its creation coincides with significant socio-economic changes, maybe serving as more than just ornamentation; as a physical manifestation of values cherished and mirrored at the time. Editor: Agreed. Beauty reflecting its time. I could certainly stare at this all day, even without putting any shiny gems or yummy candy in there.