Tumbler
Medium
Pressed yellow glass
Dimensions
H. 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm); Diam. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm)
Classification
Tumbler
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Emily Winthrop Miles, 1946
Accession Number
46.140.594
Art Historical Context
This elegant tumbler, crafted around 1888 by the Richards and Hartley Flint Glass Company, showcases the artistry of American pressed glass during the late nineteenth century. Standing just over four inches tall, the vessel was formed by pressing molten yellow glass into a mold—a technique that allowed manufacturers to produce intricate designs quickly and affordably. The resulting warm, translucent hue reflects the era’s taste for colorful, light-catching tableware that brightened everyday dining. Pressed glass played a vital role in democratizing decorative arts in the United States. Compan...
About the Artist
Richards and Hartley Flint Glass Co. · 1867–1890
**Richards & Hartley Flint Glass Co.** Nestled in the heart of Pittsburgh's thriving flint glass industry, Richards & Hartley Flint Glass Co. was established in 1865 as a partnership producing pressed tableware. Founded by Joseph Richards, William T. Hartley, and John Wilson, the firm leased property on Locust Street near Pride Street, capitalizing on the region's abundant natural gas and skilled...