R. Gleason & Sons. Magic Dinner Caster, Patented December 1, 1857. Silverplate, colorless glass, 17 x 9 1/8 x 9 1/8 in. (43.2 x 23.2 x 23.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 87.175.1-.7a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 87.175.1-.7a-b_closed_bw.jpg)
R. Gleason & Sons. Magic Dinner Caster, Patented December 1, 1857. Silverplate, colorless glass, 17 x 9 1/8 x 9 1/8 in. (43.2 x 23.2 x 23.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 87.175.1-.7a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 87.175.1-.7a-b_open_bw.jpg)
Magic Dinner Caster
Decorative Arts and Design
Silver objects had long been cherished as status symbols because they were made out of the same silver that was used for coinage. By the mid-nineteenth century, the new technology of electroplating provided the appearance of silver at a fraction of the cost.
The Industrial Revolution created a fascination with novelty objects made for the middle class, such as the “magic caster,” patented by Edward Gleason in 1856. The turn of a knob rotates the niches to reveal bottles for condiments such as mustard, ketchup, and pepper.
The Industrial Revolution created a fascination with novelty objects made for the middle class, such as the “magic caster,” patented by Edward Gleason in 1856. The turn of a knob rotates the niches to reveal bottles for condiments such as mustard, ketchup, and pepper.
MAKER
R. Gleason & Sons
MEDIUM
Silverplate, colorless glass
DATES
Patented December 1, 1857
DIMENSIONS
17 x 9 1/8 x 9 1/8 in. (43.2 x 23.2 x 23.2 cm)
4 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. (11.4 x 3.8 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
embossed on one of six panels: "PATENTED DEC. 1 1857"
SIGNATURE
no signature
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
ACCESSION NUMBER
87.175.1-.7a-b
CREDIT LINE
H. Randolph Lever Fund
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
R. Gleason & Sons. Magic Dinner Caster, Patented December 1, 1857. Silverplate, colorless glass, 17 x 9 1/8 x 9 1/8 in. (43.2 x 23.2 x 23.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 87.175.1-.7a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 87.175.1-.7a-b_closed_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, closed, 87.175.1-.7a-b_closed_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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