Cup Plate, 1832-1852

Summary

Americans in the early 19th century poured hot tea into their saucers to cool -- leaving the staining liquid around the teacup's base. Hostesses would provide guests with cup plates to prevent damage to tablecloths and wood. Pressed glass cup plates were popular from the 1820s to the 1860s. Pressed designs varied from purely decorative to images of famous men, places and events.

Americans in the early 19th century poured hot tea into their saucers to cool -- leaving the staining liquid around the teacup's base. Hostesses would provide guests with cup plates to prevent damage to tablecloths and wood. Pressed glass cup plates were popular from the 1820s to the 1860s. Pressed designs varied from purely decorative to images of famous men, places and events.

Artifact

Cup plate

Date Made

1832-1852

Place of Creation

United States 

 On Exhibit

at Greenfield Village in Davidson-Gerson Gallery of Glass

Object ID

00.3.7278

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Glass (Material)
Pressed glass

Color

Cobalt blue (Color)

Dimensions

Height: .5 in

Diameter: 3.5 in

Weight: 3.5 oz

Inscriptions

bottom, pressed: Henry Clay

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