The craquelle technique used in this champagne pitcher was inspired by an early Venetian innovation in which partially blown molten glass, called gather, is submerged in cold water, causing the surface to crackle without shattering. The glass gather is then reheated and blown, expanding the crackled effect across the surface. Inspired by this practice, American glass companies such as Boston and Sandwich rolled lead glass gather over pulverized glass chips, which would adhere to the surface, creating a rough texture and frosted appearance. The finished surface concealed a glass pocket skillfully blown into the side of the pitcher that could hold ice and chill the beverage without diluting it.