Cup plate 1840 - 1850

Editor: Here we have a glass cup plate from the mid-19th century, dating roughly 1840 to 1850. It’s deceptively simple. Looking at it, I am intrigued by how decorative yet functional it appears. How would you interpret this seemingly mundane object? Curator: This piece transcends its utilitarian function. It is important to consider its historical context within 19th century American society, where the temperance movement was gaining traction. Such decorative pieces could, ironically, highlight the performative aspect of social drinking. Editor: That's fascinating! So, the cup plate, while being used for drinks, might have been a quiet symbol of… social rituals? Curator: Precisely. Mass-produced glass like this became accessible, blurring social lines but it was never completely devoid of its historical associations. This small item then also offers an intersectional perspective on gender roles as well, who did the serving, who the owning and so forth, making it quite an unassuming object. Editor: I hadn't considered that. Were there particular designs that might point to specific political views or social affiliations? Curator: Absolutely. Design elements were often deliberately chosen. Patriotic emblems or depictions of American figures, for example, subtly aligned owners with particular political and national narratives. Editor: So, each design choice acts like a tiny statement? It makes me wonder about today’s everyday objects. Curator: Exactly! By examining its visual elements and the historical milieu of temperance, class, gender and politics we uncover this object's surprising depth. The material culture is just one point for understanding social meanings in a time where industrialization started to shift those meanings. Editor: Thanks! I will definitely be rethinking my coffee coaster.