Cup plate 1830 - 1835

Editor: So, this is an anonymous glass "Cup Plate," dating from 1830 to 1835, and it's here at the Art Institute of Chicago. It's so delicate and small; I'm struck by how refined even everyday objects were. What's your take on this seemingly simple piece of glass? Curator: Well, what appears simple often reveals complex social rituals when viewed through history. This cup plate, made of glass, was indeed a common item, but it points to the rise of tea and coffee drinking in American society. Do you notice how the rim is made for holding a cup? Editor: Yes, it does look like it's specifically shaped for that. Curator: Exactly. And, why might one need a special little plate just for a cup? Think about social etiquette and what that might tell us about a growing middle class at that time. Editor: Hmm, maybe it's to keep from spilling on furniture? Show off wealth? Or keep surfaces clean. So something functional and practical… Curator: Precisely! Tea culture was booming, particularly among women, and things like customized plates helped with these sorts of activities in their drawing rooms. This little plate signals that culture and refinement became accessible to more than just the elite. Editor: That's fascinating! It makes you rethink what 'ordinary' even means back then, and how accessible art objects had become to those wanting to elevate their own social standing, which maybe explains why we don't know who made this piece of decorative art. Curator: Exactly, objects such as these show the importance of seeing the past through everyday items. I never expected tea culture would have so many interesting underpinnings, culturally speaking!