Pocket flask

Art Historical Context

This charming pocket flask, crafted by an unknown American artist between 1800 and 1860, exemplifies the everyday elegance of 19th-century American glassmaking. Standing just 6 1/4 inches tall, its compact size made it perfect for slipping into a coat pocket, ideal for travelers, workers, or gentlemen enjoying a discreet sip of whiskey or rum during the young nation's expanding frontier days. The flask's medium—blown pattern-m glass—highlights innovative techniques of the era. Molten glass was blown into a ribbed or patterned mold, creating textured surfaces like swirling ribs or diamond motifs that caught the light beautifully. This method, popular in American factories from New England to the Midwest, allowed for mass production of decorative yet functional items, blending utility with subtle artistry amid the Industrial Revolution's rise. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing as a gift from Henry G. Schiff in 1980, this flask offers a tangible glimpse into daily American life. It reflects a culture valuing portability and craftsmanship, reminding us how ordinary objects once held quiet stories of adventure and hospitality.