Wine Glass

Art Historical Context

Nestled in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, this delicate *Wine Glass* by Adams and Company (1870–90) the ingenuity of late 19th-century Americanmaking. Crafted from pressed yellow glass, it just 3 7/8 inches tall with a 2 1/4-inch diameter—perfectly sized for intimate toasts. The vibrant yellow hue adds a cheerful pop, reflecting the era's fascination with colorful, accessible tableware. Pressed glass, a hallmark of industrial innovation, allowed manufacturers like Adams and Company—based in Pittsburgh's thriving glass district—to produce intricate designs affordably through molding techniques. This democratized elegance, bringing ornate styles once reserved for the elite to middle-class homes during America's Gilded Age. No longer hand-blown, these pieces symbolized mass production's rise, blending utility with subtle artistry. A generous gift from Mrs. Emily Winthrop Miles in 1946, this wine glass offers a tangible glimpse into everyday American life, where even a simple drinkware item carried cultural pride in domestic craftsmanship. Visitors can appreciate how such objects turned ordinary moments into something special.

About the Artist

Adams and Company

Adams and Company was an American pressed glass manufacturer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, whose products exemplify the ingenuity and industrial ambition of Gilded Age glassmaking in the United States. The firm traces its origins to Adams, Mackin & Co., established in Pittsburgh in 1851; by 1861 it had reorganized as Adams and Company, operating under that name through 1891, when it became Fa...