Cordial Glass 1865 - 1870

Editor: So this is a Cordial Glass, crafted by the New England Glass Company between 1865 and 1870. It seems so delicate, and the repetitive patterns remind me of domesticity and curated social rituals. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, its transparency really speaks volumes. In a time of burgeoning industrialization, the Cordial Glass, rendered in clear, cut glass, presents us with the visibility and the trappings of luxury. How does the accessibility of glass during the period change its implications when it comes to class and taste? Editor: That's fascinating, because although glass is now a common material, this feels like something meant for display, maybe in a middle class home eager to demonstrate good taste? Curator: Exactly. It also has me thinking about gender roles. Consider, who was typically serving the drinks from such a vessel, and what power dynamics are present even in a seemingly mundane object of domestic life. Editor: That makes sense. This could be less about individual enjoyment and more about upholding specific roles and relationships within a household. Does the location of its display impact its meaning too? Curator: Absolutely. Was it showcased in a dining room or a parlor? Its placement actively shapes narratives of domesticity and, perhaps, silent enactments of social stratification and propriety. Considering these contexts, how does your perspective shift? Editor: I never considered something so pretty as being part of a much larger story about gender, power, and class. It is much more complex than it appears! Curator: Precisely. It’s these everyday objects that reveal a lot about social values. Hopefully, it pushes others to view art as a part of history.