No. 176
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
2009-18-50
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**No. 176 by Ludwig Lobmeyr (ca. 1880)** Ludwig Lobmeyr, a master Austrian glassmaker (1829–1917), created *No. 176* around 1880, a exquisite example of glassware now housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. As part of the renowned J. & L. Lobmeyr firm in Vienna—longtime suppliers to European royalty—Lobmeyr glassmaking to an art form. His works from this era reflect the precision and luxury of Bohemian crystal traditions, blending technical virtuosity with elegant design during Austria's late 19th-century golden age of decorative arts. Though the exact medium details are under research, *No. 176* embodies the historicist influences of the period, just before Art Nouveau's flourish. Lobmeyr's techniques, such as intricate cutting and polishing, produced pieces that shimmered with light, symbolizing opulence and craftsmanship. These glasswares graced imperial tables and salons, highlighting glass's role as both functional object and status symbol in Viennese society. Acquired through generous museum purchases, *No. 176* invites us to appreciate how everyday materials like glass could capture the era's refinement. Ongoing research promises deeper insights into this gem of Austrian heritage. (178 words)