Brandy Tumbler

Art Historical Context

This delicate **Brandy Tumbler**, crafted from cut blown glass in the 19 century (or thereabouts), exemplifies the refined artistry of British glassmaking, likely produced for affluent households. Standing just 1 7/8 inches tall and 1 3/8 inches in diameter, its petite scale suggests it was designed for savoring small measures of brandy—perhaps as a tasting glass or part of a gentleman's pocket set. The medium of blown glass, shaped by inflating molten glass into a mold and then meticulously cut with diamond-point wheels or grinding wheels, created sparkling facets that caught the light and enhanced the liquor's amber glow. The technique of cutting on blown glass reached new heights of precision in the 19th century, reflecting industrial advancements alongside traditional craftsmanship. Though attributed to an unknown British artist, this tumbler highlights the era's export trade, where such elegant tableware influenced American tastes and collections. Housed in The Met's American Wing, it evokes transatlantic exchanges in luxury goods. Generously gifted in 1925 by Fisher Howe and his sons in memory of Mrs. Fisher Howe (1854–1924), the tumbler preserves a slice of Victorian-era sophistication, inviting us to appreciate the subtle beauty in everyday indulgences.