Pitcher c. 1840

This clear blue glass pitcher was produced by the Redford Crown Glass Works. Glass making in the United States has a rich history that reflects industrial development, labor practices, and aesthetic trends. Pitchers like this one, were often produced in factories employing both skilled artisans and unskilled labor, creating objects for a growing consumer market. As an art historian, I am drawn to understanding the socio-economic conditions that shape the production and consumption of decorative arts. The wave-like patterns adorning the pitcher, though seemingly simple, carry cultural weight. Motifs like this have always referenced the natural world and our relationship to it. They are reminders of the ways in which design can reflect and reinforce societal values. To fully appreciate this pitcher, one might delve into archives that document the Redford Crown Glass Works, study period catalogs, or analyze the broader economic trends. This is how we understand the public role of art and the social conditions that shape its production.