Mug 1870 - 1890

This mug was made by Adams and Company out of pressed glass, a technique which was common in the 19th century. The surface decoration is a pattern of raised hemispheres that catch the light. It's a functional, everyday object elevated through design, transforming humble material into something beautiful. This effect was achieved through mass production using a mold, allowing for the creation of visually appealing glassware at a price that was accessible to a broader consumer base. Glass pressing was highly skilled, but still reliant on factory labor, reflecting the changing dynamics of production and consumption at the time. The mug's very existence speaks to the industrial revolution, where technological advancements changed both the aesthetics and accessibility of domestic objects. Considering the materials, means of production, and social context allows us to understand the mug as both a functional object and a reflection of the era in which it was made.