JULY 2011 — ARTIFACT OF THE MONTH

(Previous) Artifacts of the Month Index

American Flag Whiteware Teacup (1828-1836)

This hand-painted whiteware teacup was discovered in the historic Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, during archaeological investigations performed for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s ongoing I-95/Girard Avenue Improvement Project. Found within a wooden box privy, this artifact was recovered with fragments of a matching saucer, as well as a number of glass “whimsies” manufactured at one of the three 19th century glass factories located in the immediate vicinity. The London/Grecian shape of this cup, and the chrome color palette used to create the patriotic motif, indicate that this artifact was manufactured sometime between 1828 and 1840. The date range for this piece can be narrowed to 1828-1836, however, based on the number of stars depicted on the American flag. The 24-star flag served as our national symbol between the years 1822 and 1836, with the 24th star being added for the admission of Missouri as a state in 1821. This pattern remained the official flag of the United States until Arkansas became the 25th state, in 1836. The 24-star flag flew during the Jacksonian Era in American history, under the presidencies of James Monroe (1817-1825), John Quincy Adams (1825-1829), and Andrew Jackson (1829-1837). Between 1822 and 1836, the young republic expanded its boundaries to the south and west, and witnessed the organization of the Florida and Wisconsin Territories, as well as the Indian Territory, in what is now Oklahoma.


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