Vase
Unknown Artist
1860–80
Medium
Free-blown aquamarine and red glass
Dimensions
H. 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm)
Classification
Vase
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1920
Accession Number
20.14.5
Art Historical Context
This delicate vase, crafted between 1860 and 1880 by an unknown American artist, exemplifies the artistry of mid-19th-century glassmaking in the United States. Standing just 6 1/4 inches tall, it was created using the free-blown technique, where molten is shaped directly by the blower's breath and tools without molds. This method allowed for fluid, organic forms and showcased the glassmaker's skill in controlling viscosity and color. The striking combination of aquamarine (a blue-green) and red glass adds vibrancy, likely achieved through layering or threading techniques popular in American wo...