Coffee or Tea Service
1870–73
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Coffeepot H: H.: 29.8 cm (11 3/4 in.); Sugar basin H: H.: 22.9 cm (9 in.); Milk pot H: H.: 5.3 cm (6 in.)
Classification
tea service
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
90585
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The Brooklyn firm Webster Manufacturing Company was one of many silver manufacturers in the New York region serving the burgeoning consumer society of the late 19th century. This coffee or tea service was typical of the company’s products, which were primarily silver hollowware. The use of electroplating and a drop in the price of silver during the period made merchandise like this affordable to a much wider population than ever before. Moreover, electroplating added value to functional, everyda...