Tumbler
Unknown Artist
1825–30
Medium
Blown glass
Dimensions
Dimensions unavailable
Classification
Tumbler
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Miss Katharine L. Beach, in memory of her mother, Lucy McB. Beach, 1970
Accession Number
1970.199.1
Art Historical Context
This elegant tumbler, crafted around 1825–30, exemplifies the artistry of early 19th American glassmaking. Made of blown glass—a technique where molten glass is on a blowpipe and shaped by skillful inflation and manipulation—this unadorned drinking vessel reflects the practical beauty of everyday objects from the period. Produced during a time when American factories like those in Pittsburgh and New England were flourishing, it highlights the growing independence of U.S. artisans from European imports. Though created by an unknown artist, the tumbler's simple form and clarity showcase the pre...