These two small dishes (see B.2005.11) offer a fascinating insight into the transfer of design—albeit, in this instance, the route is reversed with the Europeans copying the Americans rather than vice versa.

Similarities between American pressed glass and Meissen porcelain was recognized but it was not until 1984 that it was discovered that the porcelains were inspired by the American glassmakers. In the early 1830s, the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory assembled a collection of American glass dessert plates, fruit baskets, vases, decanters, candlesticks, and bowls, of both cut and pressed glass, to serve as models for porcelain. The pressed glass bore a special appeal for the fine detail that was realized in the relief designs. The Meissen versions could be embellished with enamel painting or highlighted with a luster gilding which had recently been developed. Meissen appears to have been the sole manufacture of porcelains “in the crystal manner” and enjoyed tremendous popularity. In fact, the firm’s records indicate that porcelains patterned after American glass enjoyed a stronger market than the glass itself.

The lacy Gothic pattern dish with the complimenting porcelain example introduce a pair of objects that are evocative of this highly unusual collaboration and reinforce the widespread popularity of Gothic motifs in the mid-19th century.