Hat

Art Historical Context

This hat, created by the Dorflinger Glass Works between 1865 and 1921, captures the playful spirit of American glassmaking in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Fashioned from free-blown red and amber glass, the object measures 5 3/4 inches high and 8 1/2 inches across. Its rich, translucent hues and distinctive hat shape reflect the era’s interest in turning everyday forms into decorative treasures. Free-blowing, a technique that relies on the glassblower’s breath and hand tools rather than molds, allowed artisans to achieve fluid lines and spontaneous color effects. Dorfling...