No. 168
Medium
glasswares
Classification
glasswares
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of Dale and Doug Anderson, Anonymous Donor, Arthur Liu, and Prairie Pictures, Inc. and from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund
Accession Number
2009-18-42
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**No. 168 by Ludwig Lobmeyr (1)** Crafted in 1871 by Austrian glassmaker Ludwig Lobmey (1829–1917), *No. 168* the pinnacle of 19th-century Viennese artistry. Lobmeyr, whose family firm—established in 1823supplied the Habsburg imperial court, was renowned for producing exquisite crystal glassware that blended Bohemian cutting techniques with neoclassical elegance. This piece, part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection (museum purchase, 2023), reflects the era's historicist revival, where glassware served as both functional luxury and status symbol amid the Austro-Hungarian Empire's cultural flourishing. The medium of glassware highlights Lobmeyr's mastery of precision engraving and faceting, creating sparkling clarity and intricate light play that rivaled fine jewelry. Cataloged simply as "No. 168," it likely represents a bespoke design from the firm's extensive repertoire, possibly a vase, decanter, or stemware set, emphasizing durability and opulence for elite dining. With research ongoing, its presence in an American collection underscores the global appeal of European craftsmanship during the Gilded Age, bridging Old World tradition with New World collecting. Visitors will appreciate how *No. 168* captures glassmaking's evolution from utilitarian craft to high art, inviting reflection on the enduring allure of hand wrought crystal. (198 words)