Cup plate 1830 - 1835

This cup plate was made by an anonymous artist out of glass, its exact date is unknown. It shows a bridge, likely the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, along with a sun or star above it. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of California's most famous landmarks. It's appeared on countless postcards and souvenirs, so the image on this plate tells a story of the cultural and economic forces shaping America, most likely from the 20th century onwards. It is likely this cup plate was made as a souvenir to be sold to tourists visiting San Francisco. The design is relatively simple and mass-produced, reflecting the growth of consumer culture and the desire for affordable keepsakes. To understand this object better, we might turn to resources in local history and study the context in which such objects were commonly sold.