Wine Glass

Art Historical Context

This delicate wine glass, crafted in the 18th by an unknown American artist—or possibly one influenced by American traditions—exemplifies early colonial glassmaking artistry. Standing just 4 inches (10.2 cm) tall, it was made from free-blown lead glass, technique where molten glass is on a blowpipe and shaped solely by the artisan's breath and tools, without molds. The addition of lead oxide created the sparkling clarity and refractive quality akin to fine European crystal, making such pieces prized luxuries for the emerging American elite. In the context of 18th-century America, this glass r...