he first recorded use of dram glasses, or shot glasses, was in the early eighteenth-century between 1710-20. Initially such glasses functioned as medicine glasses. However, the use of such small glasses would evolve to being part of the dinnerware included on a set table for spitting buck casing left inside meat and eventually for quick sips of alcohol.

The six hand painted glass drams depicted here were a gift from Spain in 2008. Each glass is adorned with a design similar to the geometric mosaics created by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. The glasses are decorated with trapezoids and triangles in yellow, red, blue, and green outlined by bold black lines.  Gaudi’s name is written on each glass. Today, dram glasses such as these are widely produced for tourists (a large proponent of the Spanish economy) to enjoy.