Collection Highlights
The Peale Family
1773-1809
1867.298
Oil on canvas
Support the New-York Historical Society
Help us present groundbreaking exhibitions and develop educational programs about our nation's history for more than 200,000 schoolchildren annually.
Museum Collections
Luce Center
Base for covered butter dish
Object name
Base for covered butter dish
Date
ca. 1890
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
Overall: 3/4 x 3 1/2 in. ( 1.9 x 8.9 cm )
Description
Colorless (with slight amethyst tint) pressed glass base for covered butter dish (from toy sets); circular form with scalloped edge; deep curved rim and nine-sided well; sunburst with leafy points, in well; along interior rim, frieze of figures, working and playing, in a garden setting: one figure is walking behind a hoop, another holding a drum, another walking behind a pig, and another holding a spade and trowel aloft; fences, trees, and a row of 3 scarecrows complete the scene (Lee-Rose 895).
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. J. Insley Blair
Object Number
1940.442
Gallery Label
While miniature glass objects (such as plates or salts) were long assumed to have been salesmen's samples produced in small sizes, no evidence has appeared to support that hypothesis. Jane Spilman states that "we may be fairly certain that they are, in fact, children's toys produced to use with doll houses or simply with dolls." (See Publications)
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
