Cup plate 1830 - 1835

This small cup plate, of unknown date and maker, features an eagle design pressed into clear glass. This piece offers a glimpse into the cultural landscape that shaped early America. At the center, the eagle—a symbol adopted from ancient empires—represents the burgeoning national identity of the United States. Its presence on a domestic object underscores the pervasive influence of political symbols in everyday life. The arrows that the eagle clutches can be seen as a reference to power, but also to the violence that was foundational to the establishment of the nation, and its continued expansion. These plates were made for the simple, intimate ritual of tea drinking and were most likely used in private homes. By considering its function, we can appreciate how this seemingly innocuous object brought national ideologies into the domestic sphere. The cup plate ultimately serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between personal rituals, national identity, and the unspoken narratives embedded within the objects that surround us.