Saltcellar

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, this elegant saltcellar from 1800–1900 the artistry of 19th-century blown pattern-molded green glass. Standing at a dainty 6 3/4 inches tall, the was crafted by shaping molten glass inside a patterned mold before free-blowing, creating textured, repeating motifs that catch the light beautifully. The soft green hue, often called "forest glass," results from natural impurities in the silica, lending it an earthy, organic charm typical of the era's utilitarian yet decorative tableware. Produced in either America or Britain during a boom ...