Beaker glass
18th century
Classification
glasswares
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of the C. Helme and Alice B. Stater Collection
Accession Number
1976-1-31
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant 18th-century beaker glass, part of the Smithsonian American Art's collection, exemplifies the craftsmanship of early American glassware. Donated through the generous gift of the C. Helme and Alice B. St Collection, it belongs to the Smithsonian Collection's glasswares classification. Though the artist remains unknown and research is ongoing, such beakers were essential household items, often used for drinking ale, wine, or punch in colonial homes and taverns. In the 18th century, glass emerged as a vital American industry, with workshops producing functional yet beautifully forme...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...