Tumbler
Manufacturer: Bakewell, Page and Bakewell (American, 1812 - 1827)
Date: about 1825
Dimensions:
H: 10.0 cm (3 15/16 in.); Rim Diam: 7.2 cm (2 27/32 in.); Base Diam: 6.9 cm (2 23/32 in.)
Medium: Colorless glass; Blown and finished by tooling.
Place of Origin: Pittsburgh, PA
Classification: Glass
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 1959.53
Label Text:With a portrait of New York governor De Witt Clinton encased within its base, this tumbler is an example of the technique of cameo-incrustation. Commonly known as sulphide glass, this type of ware developed from the taste for collecting small likenesses of famous persons. Sulphides were made by encasing ceramic images in glass so that they would remain fresh in appearance and safe from damage.
Early in 1825 Bakewell, Page & Bakewell introduced its cameo-incrusted tumblers—what the company called “medallion” ware—to American glassmaking. They were prompted by a commission to produce a set of commemorative tumblers for the French hero of the Revolutionary War, the Marquis de Lafayette, who planned to visit Pittsburgh in May 1825 as part of his American tour. See also the “figured flask” with a portrait of Lafayette and of De Witt Clinton in this gallery.
Early in 1825 Bakewell, Page & Bakewell introduced its cameo-incrusted tumblers—what the company called “medallion” ware—to American glassmaking. They were prompted by a commission to produce a set of commemorative tumblers for the French hero of the Revolutionary War, the Marquis de Lafayette, who planned to visit Pittsburgh in May 1825 as part of his American tour. See also the “figured flask” with a portrait of Lafayette and of De Witt Clinton in this gallery.
DescriptionCut with strawberry diamonds, fans, and flats in the Anglo-Irish style and engraved around the top with a rose vine. A sulphide bust believed to be that of George Clinton (1739-1812) is embedded in the base.
Not on view
In Collection(s)