Cup plate 1830 - 1835

Editor: This sparkling, clear glass piece is called "Cup Plate" and dates back to 1830-1835. It’s an anonymous work of decorative art at the Art Institute of Chicago. I'm struck by how delicate it seems, like something out of a fairy tale, even with that bold eagle at the center. What secrets does it hold? Curator: It's enchanting, isn't it? These cup plates, see, they weren’t exactly designed for dainty fairies. Imagine a world where tea was poured hot into saucers, and sipped from there – this little plate served as a resting place for the cup in between those sips. The eagle, surrounded by all that decorative glasswork, to me, hints at both national pride and a new kind of accessible elegance finding its way into everyday life. Don't you feel that tension between the practical and the beautiful? Editor: Absolutely. The eagle does feel quite…official against all that delicacy. It's like a little rebellion, like a formal declaration served on the prettiest dish available. So, what’s the story behind this glass-making? Were there many like it? Curator: Yes! These were, dare I say it, the 'it' item of their time! Made possible by advances in glass pressing technology, meaning designs like that patriotic eagle could be replicated quickly and cheaply, this piece allowed ordinary households to enjoy what were once considered luxury items. Each tiny indentation and curve tells a story of ingenuity, accessibility, and a burgeoning American identity. It kind of makes you rethink what “art” could mean, right? Editor: It really does! I always think of art as these big, grand statements, but this makes me realize it can be subtle and part of everyday life. I guess even cup plates can be revolutionary in their own little way! Curator: Exactly! Sometimes, the most profound revolutions happen not in grand halls but in the quiet corners of our lives. This cup plate invites us to find beauty and meaning in the overlooked.