Sugar bowl 18th-19th century

This sugar bowl, a small, transparent vessel, was likely made using industrial glass-pressing techniques by an anonymous maker. The clear glass is molded into geometric patterns, with vertical ribs around the base and a textured rim. The bowl’s form speaks to the rise of industrial production, which allowed for the mass production of glassware. This process involved molten glass being pressed into a mold, a technique that standardized the production of domestic objects. The bowl’s surface reflects the precision of the industrial process. The bowl would have been an affordable luxury item in its time, and an emblem of emerging consumer culture. Looking at this object, consider the amount of work involved in its creation, from the extraction of raw materials to the labor of factory workers. Appreciating it means understanding how it connects craft, design, and the wider social context.