blotter

Object NameBlotter

Manufacturer T. G. Hawkes & Company (American, 1880-1962)

Made FromLead Glass; Fabric; Cardboard; Metal

Date1915-1935

Place MadeUnited States, NY, Corning

TechniqueBlown, cut, engraved

SizeOverall H: 1.6 cm, W: 48.4 cm, D: 38.2 cm

Accession Number96.4.185 A

Curatorial Area(s)

Modern

On ViewCrystal City Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

Production of fanciful desk accessories coincided with a flourishing culture of letter writing. The elegance of handwriting and the objects used became important indicators of character and social status. This matching set includes an inkwell, stamp boxes, pen tray, letter rack, and blotter, all to keep the furniture neat and tidy from ink stains.

Physical DescriptionBlotter. (a) Colorless lead glass, fabric, cardboard, metal screws; blown, cut, engraved. Four triangular glass pieces, with a stepped top surface, the upper portion cut with closely-spaced parallel lines centering on a polished oval engraved with a crossed torch, bow and quiver, a helmet and flowers, and ribbons, with a scroll on each side; the lower portion cut on the underside in a fine diamond pattern. Glass pieces attached to a fabric-covered cardboard blotter (a modern replacement) with three metal screws in each corner. (b) Original rectangular blotter with a cardboard core, covered on both sides with black, hard-surface fabric with a layer of thicker fabric for padding on underside.
Provenance

Source From the Cutter's Wheel - 1996-10-08