Figure Dish 1880 - 1890

This is a milk-glass "Figure Dish" made by McKee and Brothers, sometime between 1856 and 1889. The pure white color and the image of a docile bird, speak to notions of purity and domesticity, prevalent in the Victorian era. During this time, women were often idealized as keepers of the home, expected to embody innocence and nurture. The duck sitting on its nest becomes a symbolic representation of these gendered expectations. Serving dishes like this would have been common household items. As such, they reflect the cultural values and social structures of the time. Yet, even within these constraints, the act of creating and using such objects could be seen as a form of agency. For women, decorating their homes and tables became a means of expressing themselves. They were creative within the boundaries of their roles. This dish reminds us of the complex relationship between gender, domesticity, and artistic expression in the 19th century. It prompts us to consider how everyday objects can reflect and shape societal expectations.