Cup plate 1826 - 1830

This anonymous, clear glass cup plate resides at the Art Institute of Chicago. These small dishes were common in the 19th century when tea and coffee were served in handle-less cups. Etiquette dictated that one should pour the hot liquid into the saucer to cool, and then rest the cup on a small plate between sips. While seemingly a mundane object, this cup plate speaks volumes about the rituals of social life, particularly for women who were often the keepers of domesticity. The act of sharing tea or coffee became a stage for social interaction and the negotiation of class and gender roles. This plate reminds us of the intimate, often unseen, labor involved in maintaining social graces, and invites us to consider the quiet power dynamics embedded in everyday objects.