The Brunnier Art Museum

Current Exhibitions

The Evolution of American Pressed Glass:

1825-1925

 At the Brunnier Art Museum April  5 - August 11, 2008

A pivotal point in American glass production occurred in 1825 at the New England Glass Company with Deming Jarvis’s invention of the Glass Pressing Machine. Jarvis’s invention required only two people with little experience to operate, and the resulting work of pressed glass could be produced in a matter of seconds. This highly efficient method of pouring molten glass into a patterned mold eventually leads to the mass manufacture of affordable glass for utilitarian use and aesthetic enjoyment.

The American pressed glass movement began with the Lacy Period, 1825-1845, during which mold patterns were highly intricate to mask defects. During the Flint Era, 1845-1865, defects were virtually eliminated through technological improvements. Pressed glass manufacturing peaked after the conclusion of the Civil War and flourished during the Victorian Era, 1865-1890. The popularity of American pressed glass declined from 1890 to 1920 due to the struggling economy, a more simplified lifestyle, and change in aesthetic appreciation.

This exhibition transcends a 100-year period of evolution and progress in American pressed glass production highlighting forms, colors, patterns, and manufacturers.

Curated by the Iowa Quester Glass Collection Committee, Sue Slight , chair, Kay Beckett, Jackie Smith, Linda Beatty, and Marty Lawson . The exhibition is organized and funded by University Museums and the Questers of Iowa.