Cup plate

Art Historical Context

This delicate cup plate, crafted by the American glassmakers Sampson, Lindley & Co. between 1848 and 1849, exemplifies the ingenuity of mid-19th-century pressed glass production. Measuring just 3 7/16 inches in diameter, it belongs to the Arts of the Americas collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. Cup plates like this one were everyday essentials in Victorian households, designed to cradle hot teacups or coffee cups between sips, safeguarding tabletops from stains and heat while adding a touch of elegance to the table. Pressed glass, the innovative medium here, revolutionized American manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution. Invented in the 1820s, the technique involved forcing molten glass into detailed metal molds under pressure, enabling mass production of intricate designs at affordable prices. Previously the domain of expensive cut glass for the elite, this method democratized beauty, flooding middle-class homes with decorative wares. Sampson, Lindley & Co., active in this vibrant era of New England and Pittsburgh glassworks, contributed to a booming industry that symbolized American resourcefulness and rising consumerism. Though utilitarian, such plates hold cultural significance as snapshots of domestic life, reflecting the era's blend of functionality and ornamentation in everyday objects. A charming survivor of 19th-century ingenuity!