The nineteenth century was the golden age of American glass. Technological innovations and an influx of skilled artisans from England and Europe enabled firms like the New England Glass Company (which later became the New England Glass Works) in East Cambridge, Massachusetts, to produce a high-quality product on a large scale. Louis Frederick Vaupel was one of these artisans. Born into a family of glass artisans in Schildhorst, Germany, Vaupel received specialized training in several aspects of glassmaking. In 1836, after working in a factory for many years, Vaupel's father and uncle established their own glassworks. It was there that young Louis became a master engraver of glass. Political upheaval and the accompanying economic uncertainty in Germany in the 1840s led the engraver, and thousands of other Germans, to the United States in 1850. Vaupel went to work for the New England Glass Works, eventually securing a position as head designer, in charge of the engraving department. His skill and familiarity with German techniques was a great advantage to the Massachusetts company. During this period, Bohemian and Austrian glass was being imported in large quantities to the United States, where people admired the fine detailing and elaborate carved and engraved decoration. Not only could Vaupel execute this type of work, but he could also teach others.

Vaupel worked at the East Cambridge factory until 1888, when the company's owner, Edward Drummond Libbey, moved the entire operation to Ohio. The engraver, then age sixty-four, stayed in East Cambridge and continued to engrave glass on commission. During his tenure with the New England Glass Works and for years after, Vaupel engraved many beautiful pieces of glass for his family. The majority of these masterpieces were kept in the family until the late twentieth century. This compote, one of the largest pieces, was made for Vaupel's son, Louis Humboldt Washington Vaupel, and bears his initials. Vaupel's daughter, Minette, acquired the compote and left it to the Currier. Today, Vaupel is considered the finest nineteenth-century glass engraver and his work is highly esteemed. As an example of his output, this compote represents the best decorative work done in clear glass at the time.

WNH and KB


REFERENCE

Vaupel Engraved Glass, Family Collection Offering Catalog. Toledo: Antique and Historic Glass Foundation, 1975.