Pressed Glass Water Jug

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1912

Subcollections

Overview

Large tall, handled water jug with spout, in clear pressed glass with a gold gilt stained pattern of flowers and lines around the top third of the jug. The pattern is called "Reverse 44", because the lines create a design using the number 4 with its mirror image.

See 2018.5 for matching bowl

Historical information

The United States Glass Company was formed when 18 or more glass companies combined in 1891 to try to survive trying times as a combined unit. While the idea behind the formation of this company was a sound one, the area needed to be supervised and coordinated. The numerous companies needing to be organized were located in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. This was too vast an area to manage well and as a result chaos often prevailed.

While other factories within the United States Glass Company were forced to close during the Great Depression of the 1930s, Factory R managed to survive. In June 1938, the offices of the United States Glass Company were transferred from Pittsburgh to Tiffin with C. W. Carlson as President. By 1940, all glassware was marked with a Tiffin label. By 1951 Tiffin was the only plant still in operation, however, the official name of the company remained the United States Glass Company through to 1962

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2018.6

Item type

Objects

Material

Pressed Glass

Width

190 mm

Height or length

305 mm

Weight

1893 g

Contextual Information

Pressed glass was designed for everyday use as it was cheaper to manufacture than blown glass and marketed as an economic alternative to hand cut crystal, particularly during the Great Depression, when it was known as Depression Glass. It was made to be very durable and attractive in many different patented designs by pressing molten glass into cast iron moulds. The molten glass was pressed into the mould by a plunger. Pressed glass items will always have one or more joining seams running through the glass and blunt facets, unlike cut glass.

The affordability and mass production of this pressed glass homeware, allowed middle class Australians access from the United States in the early 20th Century. Local Busselton families of this era, would have used this glassware as part of their table setting or for entertaining guests in their homes.

Keywords

Busselton -- Western Australia

Place made

Pittsburg
Pennsylvania
United States

Year

1912

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Related Objects

Sibling records

Pressed Glass Fruit Bowl