Fused Glass Square Tray

Intriguing artwork or artisanal platter, this Fused Glass Square Tray is an iridescent work of art that tempts you to partake of its offerings—appetizers, a asparagus, a delectable assemblage of cookies or tartlets—while simultaneously encouraging you to see what is beneath. Are the artfully random black filaments actually lacing the shimmering diagonal glass pieces together or is it a clever illusion? American glass artist Chris Paulson crafts this Fused Glass Square Tray in his Oregon Studio by assembling pieces of shimmering cut glass, kiln working them initially to 1500 degrees Fahrenheit to melt and fuse the pieces, then kiln working them again at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit to “slump” the piece into its final shape. Each Fused Glass Square Tray represents a contemporary and artistic application of the ancient art of glass fusion. You’ll probably want two: one to gift and one for yourself. Food and dishwasher safe.  9.5"l. x 9.5"w. x 1"h.

Museum Provenance

The Division of Home and Community Life at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History curates a vast collection of ceramic and glass ware made, used, and marketed in the United States from the 17th through the 20th century. The Smithsonian began to collect ceramics and glass in the late 1800s, as part of an effort to document the technological and artistic progress of a wide range of industries that manufactured decorative and functional goods for the American and European market. Between 1885 and 1920, American ceramics and glass companies played an important role in building the National Collections by donating examples of their currently fashionable products.

Every Smithsonian purchase will arrive with a museum provenance card explaining how it is adapted from or inspired by an object or objects in our collection.