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Dish with cover and tray, "Gothic Arch and Heart" pattern

1835–45
Object Place: Sandwich, Massachusetts, United States

Medium/Technique Pressed glass
Credit Line Gift of Kenneth and Mary Jane Wakefield in memory of Ruth Graves Wakefield
Accession Number1979.693a-c
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsGlass
With their pointed-arch patterns and shaped edges, these glass tablewares reflect the popular craze for all things Gothic about 1825-1850. Pressed glass-in which molten glass was forced into a mold with a mechanical plunger-allowed intricate detail to be rendered in a variety of stylish patterns and colors. Unlike labor-intensive cut crystal, pressed glass could be made quickly, less expensively, and in large quantities.

DescriptionColorless. Gothic tray; border of hearts and stars on stippled gorund; conventionalized geometric design of center; alternated pointed and rounded edge. Oblong dish; pointed Gothic archeswith hearts in spandrels on stippled ground on sides; scalloped base. Starburst on center, oval and diamond border. Cover; arched design on inside, two stars on inside of top at both ends, rectangular knob.