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.Set of five English cup plates. Cup plates, small plates from 3 to 4 1/2 inches in diameter, were used to hold the cup to prevent damage or staining. Before the advent of the glass pressed maching, most cup plates were earthenware, usually matching dinner and tea sets; some were blown glass with simple cut design. English potters were making cup plates along with their other tablewares in order to capture the American market; it is not known who made the first cup plate. Staffordshire potters, including Davenport, Riley, and Wedgwood, were exporting these "Anglo-American" wares, often using historical subjects, including people, views, and events. Most were made from 1800-1850, with the largest production after the war of 1812.
Subjects:
Pottery Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+69.0388 |
