Blotter

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Object Name: 
Blotter
Maker(s): 
Place Made: 
United States, NY, Corning
Accession Number: 
96.4.185 A
Dimensions: 
Overall H: 1.6 cm, W: 48.4 cm, D: 38.2 cm
Location: 
On Display
Date: 
1915-1935
Web Description: 
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.

More Info

Department: 
Modern
Provenance: 
From the Cutter's Wheel, Source
1996-10-08
Category: 
Crystal City
Color: 
colorless
Technique: 
glassblowing
cutting
engraving
Material: 
lead glass
cloth
cardboard
metal

Description

Primary Description: 
Blotter. (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.

Publications (3)

The Corning Museum of Glass: A Decade of Glass Collecting 1990-1999 (2000) illustrated, p. 57, #93; BIB# 65446
Recent Important Acquisitions, 39 (1997) illustrated, pp. 182-183, #48; BIB# AI5243
The Corning Museum of Glass Annual Report 1996 (1997) illustrated, p. 12, p. 17; BIB# AI95179

Objects in Set (6)

6 Piece Desk Set
Artist:T. G. Hawkes & Company
Date:1915-1935
Accession Number:96.4.185
Letter Rack
Artist:T. G. Hawkes & Company
Date:1915-1935
Accession Number:96.4.185 B
 
Box and Lid
Artist:T. G. Hawkes & Company
Date:1915-1935
Accession Number:96.4.185 C
Box and Lid
Artist:T. G. Hawkes & Company
Date:1915-1935
Accession Number:96.4.185 D
 
Pen Tray
Artist:T. G. Hawkes & Company
Date:1915-1935
Accession Number:96.4.185 E
Inkwell and Lid
Artist:T. G. Hawkes & Company
Date:1915-1935
Accession Number:96.4.185 F