Cup plate

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Arts of the Americas collection at the Art Institute of, where this charming cup plate from 1826–30 offers a glimpse into everyday elegance of early 19th-century America. ed in pressed glass, this petite dish—measuring just 3¼ inches in diameter—was designed to hold a teacup, protecting tabletops from heat and drips during social like tea time. The pressed glass technique, pioneered in the 1820s by innovative New England factories, revolutionized glassmaking. Molten glass was forced into intricate metal molds under pressure, enabling mass production of affordable, decorative items with crisp patterns—far quicker and cheaper than traditional hand-blowing. Though the artist remains unknown, such plates embodied the era's industrial optimism and growing middle-class tastes. These humble objects hold cultural weight as symbols of American ingenuity, blending utility with subtle beauty. Mass-produced yet collectible today, they highlight how ordinary households embraced refined design, marking the dawn of modern consumer culture in the young republic. A delightful survivor of domestic life!