Tray

CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Tray
Datec. 1830–1845
Made inUnited States
MediumLead glass
Dimensions1 7/8 × 11 3/4 × 8 1/2 in. (4.8 × 29.8 × 21.6 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by the Jack R. McGregor Endowment, by exchange
Object numberB.2006.11
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Kilroy Center
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

This tray is a tour de force of American glass. Now popularly known as “lacy,” this glass is characterized by its intricately stippled background. While seemingly decorative, this treatment was intended to conceal the loss of brilliance that occurred during the manufacturing process. It is generally agreed that this form was the most intricate and most difficult to press because of the open handles and pierced rim. The process of pressing glass to produce this complex tray was an uncertain one. Often times the handles were incomplete due to the molten glass cooling before it filled the mold’s intricate recesses. Scholars attribute this design with the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company based on fragments which were uncovered during archaeological excavations at the factory site; however, it is entirely plausible that the form was produced at other glasshouses as well.

Related examples: Corning Museum of Glass, the Toledo Museum of Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.


Provenance[Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 2006.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Sticker on one handle, removed to the acc. file: "FAPG 19513D.001"

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

scan from file photograph
19th century
Lead glass, soda-lime glass, steel, and mirrored glass
B.58.185
Kerosene Lamp
Boston and Sandwich Glass Co.
c. 1860–1880
Lead glass, gilt brass, and marble
B.2022.9.A-.D
scan from file photograph
c. 1800–1870
Lead glass
B.91.4
scan from file photograph
c. 1800–1870
Lead glass
B.91.5
scan from file photograph
c. 1800–1870
Lead glass
B.91.2
scan from file photograph
c. 1800–1870
Lead glass
B.91.3
scan from file photograph
c. 1800–1870
Lead glass
B.91.6
scan from file photograph
c. 1800–1870
Lead glass
B.91.8
Drinking Glass
c. 1800–1870
Lead glass
B.91.9
scan from file photograph
c. 1800–1870
Lead glass
B.91.7
scan from file photograph
c. 1800–1870
Lead glass
B.91.11
scan from file photograph
c. 1800–1870
Lead glass
B.91.12