Simple Utility | Unabashed Brilliance
March 25–June 1, 2025
Forsyth Galleries | Memorial Student Center, MSC 2428
Designed to evoke and capture a sense of childhood fantasy, A Colorful Dream tells a simple coming-of-age story in rich symbolic language that takes the viewer on a journey through the entire spectrum of the rainbow.
Pewter, a tin-based alloy, played a significant role in households from ancient times to the 18th and 19th centuries, when it was used for everything from tableware and drinking vessels to decorative items. Pewter was relatively affordable compared to precious metals like silver or gold, but it featured a warm, lustrous appearance, making it desirable for those seeking to emulate wealth and status.
The “American Brilliant Period” (roughly 1876–1916) saw the rise of fine, hand-cut crystal, characterized by high lead content for brilliance, and gained worldwide recognition for its elegance and intricate designs. Both cut crystal and pewter have historically used lead in their fabrication with notable results in the appearance of the glass metal.
This exhibition explores how lead has historically been used in the fabrication of cut crystal and pewter while investigating the potential harm that living with such items in the home presented.