Clutha vase

Art Historical Context

**Clutha Vase, ca. 1895** This striking Clutha vase, standing an impressive 20 inches (50.8 cm) tall and 2.2 pounds (1005 g), exemplifies the innovative spirit of late 19th Scottish glassmaking. Produced by the esteemed firm James Couper and Sons in Glasgow, it was designed by the visionary Christopher Dresser, a figure in Britain's Aesthetic Movement. Dresser, known for blending artistic beauty with industrial production, collaborated with Couper to create the Clutha series—named after the Gaelic term for the River Clyde,oking Glasgow's industrial heartland and natural waterways. The vase's glass medium highlights the technical prowess of Glasgow's glassworks during the era's design reform movement. Couper's facility was renowned for experimental techniques, producing pieces that democratized luxury through affordable, machine-aided artistry. Dresser's influence brought modernist simplicity and organic forms to decorative arts, challenging ornate Victorian tastes. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1998 through the Cadwalader Fund, this vase resides in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department. It offers visitors a tangible link to Scotland's cultural heritage, where rivers like the Clyde fueled both industry and inspiration, making high design accessible to everyday life.

About the Artist

James Couper and Sons, Glasgow|Christopher Dresser (Scottish|British, Scottish) · 1850 |1834 –1922 |1904

1850–1922|British, Glasgow, Scotland 1834–1904 Mulhouse