Glass for Showing Off

Champagne Glass, Presented to Deming Jarves, circa 1858

Champagne glass

Compotes, 1850-1860

Compote

Compotes are all-purpose serving dishes. These usually footed bowls -- with or without lids or covers -- held special desserts, fruits, candies or sauces, jellies and other foods. Blown or pressed glass compotes provided a culinary presentation method suitable to 19th-century middle-class households.

Finial, Presented to Thomas Leighton of New England Glass Company, 1846-1849

Finial

Goblet, Presented to Deming Jarves, circa 1858

Goblet

Kerosene Lamp, 1895-1905

Kerosene lamp

Lampshade, 1880-1900

Lampshade

Oriole Pattern Pitcher, 1901-1915

Pitcher (Vessel)

Punch Bowl, 1815-1835

Punch bowl

Punch Bowl, 1855-1875

Punch bowl

Cut Glass Tableware, 1855-1870

Set (Group)

Toilet Set, 1850-1880

Toilet set (Washing set)

Tumbler, Presented to Governor DeWitt Clinton, 1825

Tumbler (Drinking glass)

The early 19th century was the heyday of canals in the United States. These artificial waterways opened new territories to settlement and commerce. The Erie Canal connected Albany with Buffalo -- and the Hudson River with Lake Erie. This tumbler is from a set given to DeWitt Clinton, the New York governor who championed the canal, at the project's completion in 1825.

Vase, 1848-1855

Vase

Vase, 1860-1880

Vase

Vases, circa 1875

Vase