Basket

Art Historical Context

Nestled in The American Wing of the Metropolitan of Art, this delicate "Basket" (1880–90) exemplifies ingenuity of late 19th-century Americanmaking. Crafted from pressed purple marble glass, it measures just 2 3/8 x 4 5/8 inches, making it a petite decorative treasure likely intended for a Victorian parlor tabletop—perhaps holding candies, trinkets, or sewing notions. The unknown artist's work captures the era's fascination with affordable luxury, gifted to the Museum by Mrs. Emily Win Miles in 1946. Pressed glass, a revolutionary technique popularized in America during the Gilded Age, involved pouring molten glass into intricate metal molds and pressing it under high pressure. This allowed for mass production of ornate designs mimicking costly cut glass or even marble stone, with the purple hue achieved through manganese impurities that deepened in sunlight. The marble-like veining adds a touch of opulent illusion, democratizing elegance for middle-class homes. As a snapshot of industrial innovation, this basket highlights how American artisans blended functionality with artistry, bridging handmade traditions and factory precision. Its survival offers visitors a glimpse into everyday beauty from a transformative time in U.S. decorative arts.