The sides and lid of the bowl are embellished with images of pressed glass forms: a decanter; a goblet; a sugar bowl; an ale glass and spill holder in the “Excelsior” pattern; a decanter in the “Ashburton” pattern; a goblet in the “Flute” pattern; and a spill holder and hexagonal candlestick in the “Star” pattern. This unusual pressed sugar bowl was not intended for the general retail market but produced as an advertisement of some kind, perhaps one sent to glass distributors.

Related example: Metropolitan Museum of Art.