Engraved Plate
Unknown Artist
1800–83
Medium
Pewter
Dimensions
Diam. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm)
Classification
Plate
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of William H. Huntington, 1883
Accession Number
83.2.139
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant engraved pewter plate, crafted between 1800 and 1883 by an unknown American artisan, exemplifies the decorative arts of the early republic era. Measuring 9¼ inches in diameter, it features a central image of George Washington, the revered first president and enduring symbol of American independence. Such household objects were prized in middle-class homes, blending utility with patriotism during a time when Washington's legacy inspired national identity amid the young nation's growth. Pewter, a malleable alloy of tin and lead, was a popular medium for tableware in 19th-century Am...