Cup plate c. 1838

This anonymous glass cup plate, now at the Art Institute of Chicago, offers insight into 19th-century manufacturing and social life. The plate was mass-produced, likely using a pressing technique, where molten glass is forced into a mold. This allowed for intricate patterns, like the portrait of Queen Victoria, to be quickly and cheaply replicated. The material itself, clear glass, speaks to the era's technological advancements, making everyday objects like this both functional and decorative. The proliferation of pressed glass items also reflected shifts in class and consumption. Once reserved for the wealthy, decorative glass became accessible to a wider population due to industrial production. The cup plate represents a moment when technology, labor, and aesthetics converged, democratizing design. Ultimately, understanding the materials and making of this seemingly simple object reveals complex layers of social and economic history.