Cup c. 18th century

This mesmerizing little cup, made by an anonymous artist, is an example of so-called "end-of-day" glass. Imagine working in a glass factory. At the close of the shift, you'd take the leftover bits of colored glass, combine them, and create a unique object. Here, we see splashes of blue and maroon swirling in a milky white ground, with the colors twisted together as the glassblower shaped the cup. It wasn't intended as high art, but rather as a creative outlet for the glassworker, a way to use up scraps and perhaps take home a unique piece. This kind of glass challenges our notions of design and production, blurring the lines between the factory floor and the art studio. It reminds us that even within industrial processes, there's room for individual expression and the resourceful use of materials. So, in a way, this humble cup speaks to the everyday creativity inherent in craft.