Flask 1850 - 1860

The Westford Glass Company created this flask sometime between 1857 and 1873. These glass flasks were everyday objects that served as both functional containers and miniature billboards of national identity. Looking closely, the visual codes are clear. The eagle, a symbol of liberty, and inscriptions like “Liberty” and “Success to the Railroad” celebrate American progress and enterprise. These flasks weren't just vessels; they were carriers of cultural values, reflecting a nation in the throes of industrial and territorial expansion. The railroad, for instance, was not just a mode of transport but a symbol of national unity and economic progress. They subtly promoted the idea that consuming alcohol was compatible with—even celebratory of—the American dream. To understand these objects fully, we dive into archives, company records, and period advertisements. Only then can we grasp how seemingly simple items like these were deeply embedded in the social and economic fabric of their time.