Sugar bowl

William Henry Charlton

MEDIUMBlown pattern-molded glass
DIMENSIONSH. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm); Diam. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm)
LOCATIONThe Metropolitan Museum of Art

This elegant sugar bowl, made from blown pattern-molded glass, offers a glimpse into the refined domestic aesthetics of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, highlighting the artistry in everyday objects.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

This sugar bowl, with its delicate, almost ethereal quality, showcases the beauty of blown pattern-molded glass. Notice how the glass itself seems to ripple with texture, a result of the molten glass being pressed into a patterned mold before being inflated. This technique creates a subtle, almost fabric-like surface that catches the light in intriguing ways. While the exact year of its creation is not recorded, William Henry Charlton was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period when decorative glass played a significant role in domestic interiors. Such refined objects were not just functional; they were statements of elegance and taste, reflecting an era's appreciation for craftsmanship and intricate design in everyday items.

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What to Notice

1

Observe the subtle vertical ribbing across the surface of the bowl.

2

Look at the delicate, almost translucent quality of the glass.

3

Notice the gentle curve of the lid, echoing the bowl's form.

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Audio Deep Dive

This elegant sugar bowl, made from blown pattern-molded glass, offers a glimpse into the refined domestic aesthetics of the late 19th and early 20th centuries,…

Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST
William Henry Charlton 1846–1918 · United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

William Henry Charlton, a British painter active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, captured various landscapes and scenes, including a detailed "Mouth of Patterson's Creek, Main Line, B & O Railroad."

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