About this artwork
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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Status
- On View, Gallery 176
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Department
- Arts of the Americas
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Artist
- E. G. Webster and Son
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Title
- Coffee or Tea Service
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Place
- Brooklyn (Object made in)
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Date
- c. 1870–1873
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Medium
- Silver
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Dimensions
- Coffeepot H: H.: 29.8 cm (11 3/4 in.); Sugar basin H: H.: 22.9 cm (9 in.); Milk pot H: H.: 5.3 cm (6 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. Julian A. Altman
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Reference Number
- 1989.436.1-3
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/90585/manifest.json