Wine Glass 1860 - 1870

Editor: Here we have a dazzling “Wine Glass,” dating back to the 1860s or 70s, made by the New England Glass Company. It’s currently residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is so intricately cut. What's your take on its craftsmanship? Curator: Isn't it gorgeous? When I look at it, I feel transported! All those tiny cuts, like a galaxy contained within a palm. It makes me think about light. Think about candlelight shimmering through the facets of that glass – suddenly a regular dinner transforms into something otherworldly. Editor: That's lovely! It feels like more than just a glass, almost a relic. Curator: Exactly! It's about taking ordinary objects and elevating them through skill and artistry. Someone painstakingly created that intricate pattern. It's both functional and celebratory. Why do you think these designs were so important in the 19th century? Editor: Well, maybe it was about showing off wealth and sophistication? Impressing your guests? Curator: Partly, I think so. But beyond pure ostentation, craft celebrated precision, attention to detail – qualities prized in that era. The light that passes through a thing transforms into something so much greater. A diamond on water. Editor: I never thought about it in that light, actually. Seeing the craftsmanship itself as valuable, not just the function. It’s changed my appreciation for pieces like this. Curator: Precisely. So, next time you see a glass like this, imagine those flickering candles, and the intentions and dreams of those who first admired it.