Cup plate c. 1844

This small, circular cup plate was made from molded glass by an anonymous maker. These were common in the 19th century. Tea and coffee, served hot in handle-less cups, were poured into saucers to cool. These small plates then kept the table linen clean as the saucer was returned. Looking at the image, we see a clear glass plate, probably made in America. Its patterns aren't just decorative. They tell us about the time it was made and consumed. The central motif might be a political figure or a popular celebrity, hinting at the owner’s affiliations or aspirations. The mass production of these plates, and their wide distribution through industrial networks, made them affordable for a growing middle class. We can better understand the object's context by researching period etiquette manuals, trade catalogs, and historical records of glass production. These resources will provide a fuller understanding of the social and cultural life surrounding the cup plate.