Tumbler
1825–30
Medium
Blown, cut, and engraved glass
Dimensions
H. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); Diam. 2 5/16 in. (5.9 cm)
Classification
Tumbler
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Judith F. and William H. Hernstadt Gift and Friends of the American Wing Fund, 1982
Accession Number
1982.216
Tags
About this artwork
This elegant tumbler from 1825-30 represents the pinnacle of early American glass craftsmanship by the renowned Pittsburgh firm Bakewell, Page & Bakewell, which pioneered sophisticated glassmaking techniques in the young republic. The company introduced the sulphide technique to America, embedding white clay cameo portraits within crystal-clear lead glass to create objects of exceptional beauty and remarkable technical sophistication. These tumblers often featured portraits of prominent politica...
Art Historical Context
This elegant tumbler, crafted by the pioneering Pittsburgh glassmakers Bakewell, Page & Bakewell 1825–30, exemplifies the height of early American glass artistry. Made from blown, cut, and engraved lead, its petite form—standing just 3¼ inches tall—combines functionality with refined beauty, showcasing techniques that rivaled European imports. The firm revolutionized American glassmaking by introducing the process, embedding white clay cameo medallions into crystal-clear molten glass to create striking, three-dimensional designs without bubbles or distortions—a feat demanding precise temperatu...