Vigil Light

Art Historical Context

Vigil Light, crafted around 1888 by the Richards and Hartley Flint Glass Company, exemplifies the ingenuity of American glassmaking during the late Victorian era. Standing just 3½ inches tall, this petite vessel was formed from pressed colorless and opalescent glass, a technique that allowed intricate patterns to be produced affordably for middle-class households. The opalescent finish gives the surface a soft, milky glow that would have beautifully diffused the flame of a small oil lamp or candle. In the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this object reflects the era’s blend of practicality and quiet spirituality. Vigil lights were commonly used in homes for prayer, remembrance, or devotional purposes, bringing a sense of sacred light into everyday domestic spaces. The company’s mastery of pressed glass helped democratize such elegant lighting, making luminous, decorative pieces accessible beyond wealthy collectors. Donated to the museum in 1946 by Mrs. Emily Winthrop Miles, Vigil Light preserves a charming glimpse into 19th-century American material culture and the artistry of industrial glass production.

About the Artist

Richards and Hartley Flint Glass Co. · 1867–1890

**Richards & Hartley Flint Glass Co.** Nestled in the heart of Pittsburgh's thriving flint glass industry, Richards & Hartley Flint Glass Co. was established in 1865 as a partnership producing pressed tableware. Founded by Joseph Richards, William T. Hartley, and John Wilson, the firm leased property on Locust Street near Pride Street, capitalizing on the region's abundant natural gas and skilled...