Glass production in American in the early 1600s, but it was not until the mid-1800s that it really hit its stride. Due to high taxes on the production of glass in Britain, glassmen specializing in making and decorating fine lead crystal emigrated to the United States, bringing centuries of expertise with them. At the same time craftsmen from Europe, lured by higher wages, headed to the New World.
In 1876 the United States held the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the nation’s founding. The massive event attracted millions of visitors to 250 pavilions showcasing exhibitions of art, culture, and industry from across American and beyond.
Among those exhibitions were almost fifty U.S. glassmakers, including the prominent cut glass makers Gillinder & Sons, Boston & Sandwich, C. Dorflinger, and Mt. Washington Glass Works. It was from this point that American cut glass began to distinguish itself from European in style and quality.
The reputation of the American industry received a further boost in 1889 when T.G. Hawkes & Co participated in the Paris Exposition Universelle, where the company won a grand prize for cut glass.
One of the highlights of the first half of the period was in 1893 at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where the Libbey Glass Company built a functioning glass factory on the expo grounds. This model factory included everything necessary to produce finished glass products, from the furnace to glass blowing to final polishing. An estimated two million people visited the Libbey pavilion over the six months that the exposition ran.
Some companies, such as Libbey, T.G. Hawkes, C. Dorflinger & Sons, Pairpoint, and J. Hoare & Co. were quite large, existed through most of the Brilliant Period, and produced cut glass of exceptional quantity. Other companies, such as Sinclaire, Tuthill, or Egginton were smaller but produced wares that were no less fine than any of their competitors. But even aside from these, at the height of the period there were hundreds of cutting houses, some catering to the luxury trade, and many catering to the ‘department store’ trade that sold to the middle class.
An astounding amount of cut glass was produced during the forty years encompassed by the Brilliant Period. While some items were the equivalent of thousands of dollars in today’s money, others were quite affordable, which is why it is quite common to come across these relics at estate sales, antique shops, and anywhere else old things are sold.
Ultimately, the American Brilliant Period came to an end. From 1910 the industry was facing external competition from cheap imports from Europe, and internal competition from cheap pressed glass imitations of their most popular patterns. Changing tastes due to the influence of Art Nouveau moved demand away from the heavy geometric cutting that the cut glass houses were known for. Finally, WW1 brought things to a close. Wartime production controls forced glass manufacturers to stop making luxury goods and turn to war supplies, such as lenses for scopes. The cutting houses closed down, and the cutters turned to other employment.
————————————————————————————
In 1978, one hundred and two years after the Philadelphia Centennial, forty people whose common bond was a love and appreciation of American Brilliant Cut Glass met in Indianapolis, Indiana to form a non-profit organization. Their purpose was to foster knowledge and appreciation of American Brilliant Cut Glass as a distinct art form; for historic preservation of cut glass as an early American art form; to create a record of some of the outstanding works of art; and to provide a place where it may be seen, honored and respected; to provide information to members; and to provide opportunities for personal contact through annual meetings and other communications.
Twenty five years after that original group met, the American Cut Glass Association (ACGA) has grown from the original 85 charter members to almost 2300. The association’s main ideals remain the same: education, knowledge, and promotion of this American art form.
In the last three decades this rich cut glass has been recognized as a legitimate and unique expression of art in the United States. The American Cut Glass Association, therefore, is an organization which is evolving from a “collectors” society to an organization which has the responsibility to help preserve and advance the study of this important American art form.
Visit their website to learn more about membership and benefits!
————————————————————————————
Disclaimer: this blog is not affiliated with the American Cut Glass Association, and anything posted solely represents the opinion of the operator.
“The Hobstar” is a monthly periodical published by the American Cut Glass Association. Members of the association can access the complete archives from 1978 to present.
“The Hobstar” is a monthly periodical published by the American Cut Glass Association. Members of the association can access the complete archives from 1978 to present.
“The Hobstar” is a monthly periodical published by the American Cut Glass Association. Members of the association can access the complete archives from 1978 to present.
