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- Celery Vase, 1879-1892 - Class-conscious Americans in the late 19th century displayed their social standing by serving a variety of exotic foods in specialized tableware. Celery vases or glasses held the costly and status-laden vegetable. This tall, pressed glass vase became a middle-class necessity until growing methods made celery common and the dish less socially significant.
- 1879-1892
- Collections - Artifact
Celery Vase, 1879-1892
Class-conscious Americans in the late 19th century displayed their social standing by serving a variety of exotic foods in specialized tableware. Celery vases or glasses held the costly and status-laden vegetable. This tall, pressed glass vase became a middle-class necessity until growing methods made celery common and the dish less socially significant.
- Pitcher, 1880-1890 - Nineteenth-century American glassmakers experimented with new methods to create products for a growing consumer market. In the 1820s, pressing glass into metal molds by machine was perfected, and by the mid-1800s, manufacturers were creating a variety of inexpensive pressed glass housewares. America's middle-class consumers could now decorate their homes with attractive glass bowls, creamers, dishes, plates, vases, and other tableware.
- 1880-1890
- Collections - Artifact
Pitcher, 1880-1890
Nineteenth-century American glassmakers experimented with new methods to create products for a growing consumer market. In the 1820s, pressing glass into metal molds by machine was perfected, and by the mid-1800s, manufacturers were creating a variety of inexpensive pressed glass housewares. America's middle-class consumers could now decorate their homes with attractive glass bowls, creamers, dishes, plates, vases, and other tableware.
- Christmas Candle Light, 1865-1880 - Glass "Christmas lights," hung with wire from Christmas tree branches, were a popular alternative to Christmas candleholders in nineteenth-century America. Patterned glass reflected light from inside, where a wick burned in cork or wood floating atop oil or water. This example features a clever combination of round and diamond facets known as the "thousand eye" pattern.
- 1865-1880
- Collections - Artifact
Christmas Candle Light, 1865-1880
Glass "Christmas lights," hung with wire from Christmas tree branches, were a popular alternative to Christmas candleholders in nineteenth-century America. Patterned glass reflected light from inside, where a wick burned in cork or wood floating atop oil or water. This example features a clever combination of round and diamond facets known as the "thousand eye" pattern.
- Spoon Holder, 1880-1890 - Specialized tableware proliferated in American households during the late 19th century. Pressed glass spoon holders held silver or silver-plated spoons needed at a moment's notice. Guests who dropped by for a visit would judge the hostess as being well-prepared when seeing a spoon holder filled and at the ready.
- 1880-1890
- Collections - Artifact
Spoon Holder, 1880-1890
Specialized tableware proliferated in American households during the late 19th century. Pressed glass spoon holders held silver or silver-plated spoons needed at a moment's notice. Guests who dropped by for a visit would judge the hostess as being well-prepared when seeing a spoon holder filled and at the ready.