Cup plate 1830 - 1840

Editor: Here we have an anonymous "Cup Plate" from the 1830s, made of glass and residing here at the Art Institute of Chicago. The way the light catches those molded patterns...it's quite beautiful! What is it about such a utilitarian object that holds our gaze? Curator: Utilitarian, perhaps, but even the most humble objects are infused with meaning. What do you see in these patterns? Think about what these repeating motifs may represent to the artisans who designed and created this object, and what it communicated to the owners during its active lifespan. Editor: I notice the starburst in the center, with these radiating shapes around it - almost like petals, and fans. Are they flowers, stars, something else? Curator: That's precisely the right question to ask. These weren't just decorations. Starbursts in the center, like the rosette, and repeating shell patterns around the edges would likely have referenced concepts of plenty, nature, home, and maybe even protection from harm in a rapidly changing society. Think of the glass itself, almost transparent, pure… were these conscious references for its owner? Editor: So even something we wouldn't normally consider, like a glass plate, can reflect deeper cultural values? Curator: Absolutely. It is through everyday images that we reinforce values and preserve traditions. The star and fan would have held associations in people’s minds; connections to earlier traditions they would carry. What does that make you think of now? How do we imprint meaning today? Editor: I hadn't considered all those layers of meaning before, hidden in plain sight. It’s definitely given me a new appreciation for how we embed meaning in our surroundings. Curator: Exactly! Our shared cultural history surrounds us, if we only have the eyes to see.