Decanter c. 1800

This decanter was made at the Vonêche Glassworks sometime between 1778 and 1815. Just look at the surface of this object, glittering with light! The process used to create it involved blowing molten glass into a mold, and then cutting facets into the surface with abrasive wheels. The material itself is key here. Glass has an almost magical ability to both contain and reflect light, something exploited to the full in this piece. It is important to remember that decanters like this were not merely functional, but also status symbols. Owning such an item spoke of wealth and refined taste. This was skilled work, no question, but it was also labor, part of a larger economic system centered on luxury goods. Considering the social context and the ways of making helps us to look beyond just the beauty of the object, and understand its place in the world.