Calabash Bottle, 1850-1855

Summary

Glass factories in America began producing inexpensive, mold-formed flasks in the early 1800s. These figured flasks, often decorated with symbols of national pride, appealed to America's common man. This calabash -- a gourd-like form popular in the mid-19th century -- contains an image of a sheaf of grain. This symbol of agriculture also may allude to the flask's content of grain-based alcohol.

Glass factories in America began producing inexpensive, mold-formed flasks in the early 1800s. These figured flasks, often decorated with symbols of national pride, appealed to America's common man. This calabash -- a gourd-like form popular in the mid-19th century -- contains an image of a sheaf of grain. This symbol of agriculture also may allude to the flask's content of grain-based alcohol.

Artifact

Bottle

Date Made

1850-1855

Place of Creation

United States 

 On Exhibit

at Greenfield Village in Davidson-Gerson Gallery of Glass

Object ID

00.3.8763

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Glass (Material)
Mold-blown glass

Technique

Glassblowing
Blow molding

Color

Aqua (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 9.25 in

Width: 5.5 in

Length: 4.25 in

Weight: 1.4 lb

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