The Oak Leaf and Acorn Cup Plate

The Sandwich Historical Society presents the 7th in its series of historical cup plates, The Oak Leaf and Acorn. This glass cup plate, similar to those originally produced by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company, was made for the Society by the McDermott Glass Studio in Sandwich, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod.

The Oak Leaf and Acorn motif was very popular with glassmakers in the nineteenth century. It was used in a variety of glassware designs produce by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company. The company even named one of its freight vessels, The Acorn, after this motif. The Oak Leaf and Acorn design is featured in the center of this cup plate.

The factory dates, 1825-1888, are prominently shown on the shoulder of the plate along with the Sandwich Glass Museum's initials. The Strawberry Diamond design, another popular motif, is also featured on the plate's shoulder.

It was custom in the early 19th century to pour hot tea from the cup, which had no handle, into the deep saucer. The cup was set aside for cooling, then the tea was drunk from the saucer. The cup was set aside on a small cup plate to prevent soiling linen or table.