Plate 1877 - 1885

This porcelain plate was made by the Union Porcelain Works, a company that operated from 1863 to 1922. The design has a laurel wreath, flowers and a horseshoe which makes me think of a wedding plate celebrating a marriage. Union Porcelain Works was founded in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, during a period of significant industrial growth and immigration. As such, the company often employed European immigrant artisans. The aesthetic of the plate reflects the complex intersection of class, gender, and cultural identity prevalent in the late 19th century. During the Victorian era, objects such as these often embodied notions of domesticity and refinement. However, underneath the floral motifs and delicate design, lies a sense of who was excluded from the promises of the gilded age. This plate invites us to consider the lives of those who sought prosperity and belonging amidst the shifting landscape of American society.