Plate

Art Historical Context

This elegant pressed yellow glass plate, crafted by Adams and Company between 1870 and 1890, exemplifies the vibrant world of American decorative arts during the Gilded Age. Produced in Pittsburgh, a hub of the burgeoning U.S. glass industry, Adams and Company specialized in affordable yet stylish tableware that brought luxury within reach of the growing middle class. Measuring just 6½ inches in diameter, this sunny yellow plate reflects the era's love for bold colors and intricate patterns, made possible by the innovative pressed glass technique. Pressed glass revolutionized manufacturing in the late 19th century: molten glass was poured into detailed metal molds and pressed under high pressure, allowing mass production of ornate designs without the labor-intensive cutting of fine crystal. This method democratized beauty, turning everyday objects like plates into cherished household treasures. Housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, thanks to a generous 1946 gift from Mrs. Emily Winthrop Miles, the plate showcases America's industrial ingenuity and aesthetic ambition. Visitors will appreciate how such pieces bridged artistry and utility, adorning Victorian dining tables while symbolizing national pride in innovation. A delightful glimpse into post-Civil War prosperity!

About the Artist

Adams and Company

Adams and Company was an American pressed glass manufacturer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, whose products exemplify the ingenuity and industrial ambition of Gilded Age glassmaking in the United States. The firm traces its origins to Adams, Mackin & Co., established in Pittsburgh in 1851; by 1861 it had reorganized as Adams and Company, operating under that name through 1891, when it became Fa...