Individual canapé plate c. 1930s

This individual canapé plate was designed by Lurelle Van Arsdale Guild. The design is a reflection of post-prohibition social culture in America. The streamlined form and polished surface is an example of American modernism which was gaining traction at the time. During this time the service industry increased in size and the presentation of food became an essential element of dining and entertainment. The canapé plate is a symbolic artifact of this cultural shift and a sign of American social mobility. Van Arsdale Guild was well known for his work designing for manufacturers. Consider the emotional and psychological impact of the canapé plate as a symbol of social status, and think about the aspirations of the rising middle class in America. This plate encapsulates the cultural and economic transformations which were taking place in American society.