Art Institute of Chicago

Coffee or Tea Service

Webster Manufacturing Company (American, 1866–74)

Date

1870–73

Medium

Silver plate

Culture

Brooklyn

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The Brooklyn firm Webster Manufacturing Company was one of many silver manufacturers in the New York region serving the burgeoning consumer society of the late 19th century. This coffee or tea service was typical of the company’s products, which were primarily silver hollowware. The use of electroplating and a drop in the price of silver during the period made merchandise like this affordable to a much wider population than ever before. Moreover, electroplating added value to functional, everyday objects, an aim of the Aesthetic movement, the influence of which can also be seen in the strong geometric style visible in these pieces’ legs and handles.

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