Goblet 1870 - 1890

This goblet was produced by Challinor, Taylor and Company, sometime between 1866 and 1891. It's made from glass, but not the clear, pristine kind we often associate with fine glassware. Instead, it features a swirling mix of deep purple and milky white, creating a marbled effect. This wasn't just about aesthetics; it was about affordability. Opaque and colored glass, like that seen here, could be produced more cheaply than clear crystal, allowing companies to cater to a wider market. The marbled effect was achieved by combining different colored molten glass, then manipulating it to create the desired pattern. The piece was likely made using a mold to give it its faceted shape, a technique that sped up production. The pressed glass industry democratized luxury, and the workers were at the heart of this. By valuing the ingenuity and skill involved in its creation, we can move beyond traditional hierarchies of art and craft.