Milk Bowl
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Free-blown glass
Dimensions
H. 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm); Diam. 15 in. (38.1 cm)
Classification
Milk bowl
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1910
Accession Number
10.60.29
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, this 19th-century *Milk Bowl* exemplifies the humble yet masterful craftsmanship of early American glassmakers. Crafted by an unknown artist, the wide, shallow vessel—measuring just 4 1/8 inches high and an impressive 15 inches in diameter—was designed for a practical purpose: skimming cream from fresh milk on farms and in households across America. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 0, it offers a tangible glimpse into everyday rural life during a time of expanding settlement and self-sufficiency. The bowl's medium, free-blown glass...