No. 132

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

**No. 132** by Professor Josef StorckAustria, 1830–1902) is a captivating example of 19th-centuryware, created in 1870. Storck, an esteemed Austrian professor, likely brought academic rigor to his craft during a period when Europe’s glassmaking traditions were flourishing, particularly in regions like Bohemia and Austria. This piece, housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s glassware collection, reflects the era’s emphasis on refined transparency and form, acquired through a generous museum purchase supported by donors including Dale and Doug Anderson. Glasswares from this time often showcased innovative techniques such as cutting, engraving, or blowing, blending functionality with artistry. Storck’s work, numbered "No. 132," hints at a systematic approach, possibly from a series produced in a studio or academic workshop. Its presence in an American collection underscores the transatlantic exchange of decorative arts in the late 19th century, when European craftsmanship inspired U.S. collectors. Though research is ongoing, **No. 132** invites visitors to appreciate the delicate allure of glass—fragile yet enduring—as a window into Victorian-era elegance and technical mastery. (178 words)