This diminutive salt dish belongs to a small group of objects documented to the Jersey Glass Company. While this factory was in operation for two generations, as with so many of these early glass houses, they rarely marked their wares, and today only a handful of objects can be assigned to them.

The Jersey Glass Company was formed in 1824 by George Dummer and Company. During the period, the latter was known in New York City for employing glass cutters and retailing English earthenware. About 1830 his brother Phineas seems to have taken over the glass factory; however, George appears to have upheld an affiliation. Throughout its history the Jersey Glass Company remained in operation under the supervision of Dummer family members. Today this firm is heralded as one of the earliest efforts to produce fine quality glassware in the New York City area.

Details of the company’s production are scarce. It is known to have employed a range of manufacturing techniques and produced blown, molded, pressed, cut, and engraved wares. The range of forms available must have been extensive with the Dummers advertising everything from “Glass made and cut to order” to “Chemical furniture, fancy bottles & vials of all descriptions.” In 1826, only two years after its founding, the glassworks was recognized for the fine quality of its wares, receiving an honorary mention for the cut glass it submitted to the Franklin Institute’s annual exhibition in Philadelphia.