Oyster Plate c. 1881

This oyster plate was made by the Union Porcelain Works sometime between 1863 and 1922. Plates such as these reflect the increasing consumerism and the availability of luxury goods to the expanding middle class in the United States during the late 19th century. The oyster plate, a distinctively shaped dish designed to serve oysters, became popular during the Gilded Age when oysters were both affordable and fashionable. Its molded compartments and marine-inspired decorations speak to a burgeoning interest in natural history and the sea. By examining trade catalogs, historical menus, and social etiquette manuals, we can uncover how these objects functioned within the social rituals of dining and display, revealing the complex interplay between art, commerce, and social status. The cultural historian is interested in how an everyday object like a plate, can tell us so much about the values and customs of a particular time.