Salad Plate 1885 - 1887

This salad plate was crafted by the Union Porcelain Works, a company active from 1863 to 1922. This piece invites us to consider the cultural and social rituals surrounding dining and domesticity in the late 19th century. The Union Porcelain Works, like many manufacturers of decorative arts, catered to the tastes of the burgeoning middle and upper classes who sought to display their wealth and refinement through elaborate table settings. The delicate floral motifs and gilded accents on this plate speak to the aesthetic preferences of the time, reflecting an interest in naturalism and classical forms. But beyond its decorative appeal, the plate also hints at broader issues of identity and status. How did access to such luxury goods shape one's sense of self and belonging? What role did women play in curating and maintaining these displays of domesticity? The plate, in its quiet way, prompts us to reflect on the complex relationship between material culture and personal identity.