Plate 1848 - 1856

This delicate plate was produced in the United States by the Charles Cartlidge and Company sometime between 1848 and 1856. Notice the gilded rim and the small floral bouquet in the center. This plate represents an interesting moment in American industrial history. Cartlidge, an English immigrant, established his porcelain factory in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, during a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization. Greenpoint, with its access to waterways and growing immigrant population, became a hub for manufacturing. Cartlidge aimed to produce high-quality porcelain that could compete with European imports, and the floral design reflects the aesthetic preferences of the growing middle class, who sought affordable luxury goods for their homes. To understand the significance of an object like this, we might consult archival records, business directories, and period advertisements. These sources can help us understand the economic conditions, the labor practices, and the social aspirations that shaped its production and consumption. Ultimately, this plate reminds us that even the most seemingly ordinary objects can offer valuable insights into the past.