Cup and Saucer

Art Historical Context

This elegant Cup and Saucer, produced the Tucker Factory around 1838, represents a pinnacle of early American porcelain craftsmanship Made from fine porcelain—a material prized for its translucency and durability—this set features a cup standing 2⅞ inches high with a 4¼-inch diameter, paired with a 1⅛-inch-high saucer measuring 5½ inches across. Housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of, it was acquired through the Rogers Fund in 3, celebrating its place in U.S. decorative arts. The Tucker Factory, operating in Philadelphia from the late 1820s to 1838, marked a bold American venture into porcelain production, a field long dominated by European makers like those in France and England. At a time when most fine china was imported, Tucker's wares demonstrated growing industrial ambition and technical skill in the young republic, blending functionality for daily tea rituals with aspirations of refinement. Though modest in scale, this cup and saucer embodies the cultural shift toward domestic luxury in 19th-century America, where such pieces graced middle-class tables and symbolized national pride in manufacturing prowess. A testament to innovation amid economic challenges, it invites us to appreciate the delicate artistry behind everyday elegance.