Description:
Cup plates were used when tea was drunk from saucers. After the tea was poured from the cup to the saucer, the cup was placed on a cup plate in order to prevent the tea from staining the tablecloth. Pressed, colorless glass cup plate with a log cabin with a high-pitched roof and flag pole flying an American flag, and a cider barrel and tree on the left side of the house and six floral sprays around the rim, which was possibly made by Union Glass Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This plate is a souvenir of the 1840 presidential campaign of the Whig Party for the election of William Henry Harrison (1773-1841). Harrison, who was known both for his victory at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811 against the Indian confederacy led by Tecumseh and his military successes in the War of 1812, was the first President to die in office on April 4, 1841, less than a month after his inaugeration. The log cabin with the latch string always out, the hard cider barrel, and American Flag were some of the significant Whig Party symbols of the campaign and used in most campaign-related products. Cup plates, small plates from 3 to 4 1/2 inches in diameter, were used to hold the cup to prevent damage or staining. These plates were made in great quantity about 1827 to about 1850, with scattered references to their use as late as 1870.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+84.079 |
