Cordial glass c. 1865

These cordial glasses were made by the New England Glass Company sometime between 1818 and 1888. Their elegant design speaks to the refined tastes of the era's elite, reflecting a society deeply divided along lines of class. These glasses, with their delicate etchings and diamond cut patterns, were more than mere objects; they were emblems of status. Sipping a cordial from such a glass was a performance, reinforcing social hierarchies. The artistry involved— likely executed by skilled laborers— contrasts sharply with the wealth and privilege these objects signified for their owners. Consider the hands that crafted this glass and the hands that later held it. These glasses invite us to consider the complex relationship between artistry, labor, and social class in shaping our material world.