Pickle jar
Bulltown Glass Works
1850–70
Medium
Mold-blown glass
Dimensions
28.5 × 8.6 × 8.6 cm (11 3/16 × 3 3/8 × 3 3/8 in.)
Classification
bottle
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
72758
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
From about 1830 to 1860, design elements found in the Gothic cathedrals of Northern Europe—especially pointed arched windows with ornamental stonework—were adapted for use in the country house architecture and furnishing of members of America’s elite. The popularity of the Gothic Revival style extended to the design of humble wares, among them this pickle jar. With Gothic-style arches on each side, the jar is evidence of the interest of the middle class in a high style of the period.