Cup plate 1800 - 1850

Here we have an anonymous cup plate made of glass and standing at just over 3 inches tall, currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago. At first glance, the geometric patterns radiating from the plate's centre immediately catch the eye. The transparency of the glass, combined with its patterned surface, creates a play of light and shadow. These textures aren't just decorative; they engage in a dialogue between form and function. The cup plate challenges our perception of material and form, shifting from a simple utilitarian object to one that explores depth and surface complexity. Think about the semiotics of domestic objects; this plate disrupts conventional notions of the everyday by layering ornate details. The patterns evoke a sense of depth, questioning fixed meanings associated with domesticity and pushing us to reconsider functional art through a lens of aesthetic innovation. The formal design elements serve as a cultural marker, inviting us to decode meanings within the structural boundaries of its design.