Figured flask

1826-1835

Place madePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North America

Glass

Overall: 7 1/4 x 5 x 2 1/2 in. ( 18.4 x 12.7 x 6.4 cm )

Purchased from Elie Nadelman

1937.743

This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937. The Nadelmans showcased a colorful and captivating array of more than 500 pieces of glass in the Museum of Folk and Peasant Arts. They placed some of their most coveted pieces in front of a window so that sunlight would shine through the colored vessels and set the display aglow. This emerald green pint flask depicting General George Washington in uniform on the obverse and an American eagle on the reverse is inscribed “Adams & Jefferson July 4, A.D. 1776.” It commemorates the deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. "T. W. D" also marked on the reverse stands for Thomas W. Dyott, owner of Kensington Glass Works.

DescriptionGreen non-lead glass figured flask blown in a full-size two-part mold (McKearin GI-14) with hand-tooled cylindrical finish and ovoid body; on obverse, portrait of George Washington with inscription "GENERAL WASHINGTON" in oval frame; on reverse, in oval frame, American eagle grasping cartouche with inscription "T. W. D" with rays and inscription "E PLURIBUS UNUM" above eagle; on sides, inscription "KENSINGTON GLASS WORKS PHILADELPHIA / ADAMS & JEFFERSON JULY 4. A. D. 1776"; oval base with blowpipe mark.

MarkingsIn relief on obverse: "GENERAL WASHINGTON"; in relief on reverse: "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "T. W. D"; in relief on sides: "KENSINGTON GLASS WORKS PHILADELPHIA / ADAMS & JEFFERSON JULY 4. A. D. 1776"

ClassificationsGLASS

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