American Brilliant Cut Glass: New World Innovation from 1876-1917

In 2012, the FWMoA and the American Cut Glass Association joined a collaborative partnership which named the FWMoA as the national repository and managers of the ACGA Permanent Collection. This exhibition is a display of the highlights of this true American art form.

This collection captures the unique beauty of American Brilliant Cut Glass, which first broke free from the dominant European glass market in 1876. For centuries, American glassmakers fell short of the European standard, but with increased immigration to America in the 19th century, European artisans brought their expertise to the U.S., and American glassmaking began to thrive.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website