Celery Vase
Unknown Artist
ca. 1850
Medium
Cut blown glass
Dimensions
H. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm); Diam. 5 5/16 in. (13.5 cm)
Classification
Celery vase
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Berry B. Tracy, 1971
Accession Number
1971.98
Art Historical Context
This elegant Celery Vase, around 1850 by an unknown glassmaker, exemplifies the refined decorative arts of mid-19-century America. Standing at 9¼ inches tall with a diameter of 5⅜ inches, it was designed to hold fresh celery stalks at the dining table—a popular Victorian-era vessel that showcased abundance and hospitality. Housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum Art, it was generously gifted by Berry B. Tracy in 1971, highlighting its enduring value as a snapshot of everyday luxury. The vase's medium, cut blown glass, reveals masterful 19th-century techniques. Glass was first b...