Vase

Art Historical Context

This delicate amber glass vase, created by an unknown American artist between 1770 and 1800, exemplifies the craftsmanship of early American glassmaking during the nation's formative post-Revolutionary years. Standing at 7⅞ inches (20 cm) tall, it was fashioned using the free-blown technique skilled process where molten glass is gathered on a blowpipe and shaped solely by the glassblower's breath and tools, without molds. This method allowed for graceful, organic curves and subtle variations, highlighting the artisan's mastery over heat and form. The warm amber color, likely achieved by incorporating iron oxides into the glass melt, evoked the richness of fine imported wares while showcasing America's growing self-sufficiency in luxury goods. Produced in an era when glasshouses flourished in New England and the Mid-Atlantic, such vases graced colonial and early Federal homes as table decorations or flower holders, blending utility with understated elegance. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1937 and now in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, this piece offers a tangible glimpse into 18th-century American ingenuity and cultural aspirations.