Wine Glass

Art Historical Context

Step into the refined world of late 19th-century Americanmaking with this delicate *Wine Glass* crafted by the New England Glass around 1883–88. Founded in 1818 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, company was a powerhouse of innovation, producing high-quality tableware that rivaled European imports during the Gilded Age. just 4 11/16 inches tall this petite vessel exemplifies the elegance of everyday luxury for affluent households. Made of blown glass—a masterful technique where molten glass is gathered on a blowpipe and shaped by skilled artisans through blowing, swinging, and tooling—this wine glass highlights the precision and artistry of American manufacturing. The process allowed for slender stems and flared bowls ideal for savoring wine, reflecting the era's growing appreciation for functional beauty in domestic objects. Housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, thanks to a 1946 gift from Mrs. Emily Winthrop Miles, this piece captures the cultural shift toward American-made elegance. It stands as a testament to the nation's industrial ambition, blending utility with subtle sophistication for Gilded Age tastemakers.

About the Artist

New England Glass Company · 1818–1888

**The New England Glass Company: Pioneers of American Flint Glass** The New England Glass Company was established on February 16, 1818, in East Cambridge, Massachusetts, by a quartet of prominent local businessmen: Amos Binney, Edmund Munroe, Daniel Hastings, and Deming Jarves. Jarves, drawing on his dry goods background and talent for recruiting Europe's finest cutters, served as operational man...