Cup plate 1828 - 1829

Curator: Welcome. Here we have an object attributed to an anonymous creator. It is a glass cup plate dating to between 1828 and 1829. Editor: It looks so fragile. The light plays tricks on the intricate patterns, making them almost disappear at times. Curator: Cup plates like this emerged at a time of significant social change, when tea-drinking became popular. But beyond a refreshing drink, the very rituals around tea – from setting the table to serving and drinking, and finally tidying-up -- created powerful structures that helped solidify gender and class distinctions. The tea set itself operated almost as stage prop. Editor: I am fascinated by how the artist manipulates light through the glass. Notice how the faceted edge scatters light, creating a shimmering halo, contrasting with the delicate embossed pattern in the plate's center. Curator: The cup plate’s circular form allowed guests a place to pour excess tea from their cups in a more respectable fashion. Consider the implications, however: It signifies who does, and who does not, enjoy social power and privilege. Editor: The clear glass has a beautiful reflective and refractive index. When observed carefully it has a faint visual vibration around the edges that contrasts to the stillness inside of its geometry and shape. Curator: Think too, of the domestic labor – usually women – involved in keeping these items sparkling and presentable, as a reflection of social standing. Its fragility meant women would take additional care when dusting, or using. Editor: Absolutely. In focusing purely on the plate's design and function, we can inadvertently overlook this layer of labour. The juxtaposition between the fragility of glass and the expectation of women to sustain beauty, through service. Fascinating. Curator: These artifacts offer powerful reminders of those unacknowledged contributions. Thank you. Editor: A pleasure to be sure. Thank you for that illumination of structure and the social construction that made an otherwise clear object a site of great interest.