Cordial glass c. 1870

This anonymous cordial glass set speaks volumes about class, taste, and private life in its time. During the 18th and 19th centuries, owning a set like this was a signifier of wealth and status. It provided a means for the elite to display their refinement through the ritual of sharing liqueurs, and digestifs. The act of pouring and offering a drink became a carefully choreographed performance of hospitality and social grace. This level of social performance wasn’t often extended across racial and class lines. Servants might have been responsible for the upkeep of such a set, but would rarely, if ever, be invited to partake. The opulence of the materials and the craftsmanship involved, from the intricately worked wood to the delicate glassware, highlights the stark disparities in access and opportunity. These objects act as quiet witnesses to a history of inequality, reminding us of the stories that are often left out of grand narratives.