Liberty cup and saucer

Art Historical Context

Crafted by the Union Porcelain Works in1876, the *Liberty Cup and Saucer* celebrates centennial of independence, coinciding with the grand Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. This New York-based manufacturer was among the pioneering American firms to produce fine porcelain domestically, challenging European imports with high-quality bone china. The cup (H. 4 9/16 in.; Diam. 4 9/16 in.) and saucer (Diam. 6 7/8 in.) likely feature patriotic motifs—depictions of men and women symbol liberty—transfer-printed or hand-painted in vibrant colors under a glossy glaze, blending functionality with national pride. Porcelain's significance here lies in its technical achievement: translucent, durable, and elegantly molded, it represented industrial innovation and artistic ambition in post-Civil War America. Everyday objects like this cup and saucer transformed tea time into a civic ritual, evoking the era's optimism and unity. A gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing in 1969, this piece offers a tangible glimpse into Gilded Age domestic life, where decorative arts fused utility, patriotism, and emerging American manufacturing prowess.

About the Artist

Union Porcelain Works · 1863–1922

Union Porcelain Works, established in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York, in 1863, marked America's breakthrough in hard-paste porcelain production. Architect and builder Thomas Carll Smith (1815–1901) acquired the struggling factory from earlier owners like William Boch & Brothers after it faltered during the Civil War. In 1863, Smith traveled to Europe, studying porcelain techniques at the Manufactu...