McKee Rock Crystal Glass Bowl

This is a McKee Glass Company Rock Crystal pattern glass bowl.

The McKee Glass Company, established in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, became one of the most prolific manufacturers of glassware in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their output included a vast range of tableware, utensils, and decorative items produced through advanced pressed glass techniques that imitated expensive cut crystal. These affordable yet elegant glass objects quickly found their way into middle-class American homes for everyday dining and festive occasions. The 'Rock Crystal' pattern represents the pinnacle of early American pressed glass design, utilizing intricate intaglio-style floral motifs and scrolling foliate details to mimic hand-carved luxury pieces. By employing specialized molds, craftsmen achieved deep relief and high clarity that caught the candlelight and gaslamp illumination popular in homes of the era. Surviving pieces from this line remain prized examples of early American industrial artistry and glass manufacturing heritage.

• Period: Circa 1905-1915
• Origin: Jeannette, Pennsylvania