Spoon holder

Maker Boston Sandwich Glass Company (American)

Collections

American Decorative Arts

ClassificationsDECORATIVE ARTS

Dateca. 1850

Mediumcolorless pressed glass

Dimensionsoverall: 3 × 3 1/2 × 3 1/2 in. (7.6 × 8.9 × 8.9 cm.)

DescriptionSandwich-star pattern, hexagonal form with an overall pattern of interlocking eight point stars plain round stem, hexagonal foot, polished poutil mark on underside.

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Gift of John Mathern and Lucy Borders

Status

Not on view

Label TextPressed glass became an important hallmark of success for the burgeoning American middle class. It was widely recognized as one of the essential elements of the "respectable" household, the attainment of which became the shared goal of rural and urban populations, newly-arrived immigrants, and all those seeking to demonstrate their transition from an uncouth or rude state (where household articles were handmade or extremely modest) to one of "civility" (where such articles were fashionable in style, factory-made, and purchased in stores). Rapid advances in technology followed the invention of the glass press in about 1825, and continued with the introduction of the soda-lime glass formula, in about 1865. This type of glass could be pressed more quickly than the heavier lead glass of mid-century, and it was used in the production of increasingly detailed patterns and more elaborate forms. Pressed glass patterns were sometimes further embellished during this period with an attractive acid matte finish, and they often featured fully three-dimensional design elements that would have been difficult or impossible to achieve through any other forming process.

Object number2000.18.3