Saltcellar

Art Historical Context

Nestled in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, elegant saltcellar from 1880–90 exemplifies the artistry of late 19th-century American glassmaking. Crafted by an unknown artist using pressed purple marble glass, it served as a refined table accessory for dispensing salt during formal meals. The medium—pressed glass molded under heat and pressure—allowed for affordable yet intricate designs that mimicked the luxury of hand-cut crystal making such pieces accessible to growing middle class during America's Gilded Age. The purple marble effect, with its swirling, veined appearance...