Cutting
Butter Trencher
1885 (design registered)
1885 (design registered)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This butter trencher was one of many types of glass dish, each designed for a particular food. Extensive glass table services became increasingly popular towards the end of the 19th century. Such sets were cheaply made in press-moulded glass and became widely available. They were often elaborate in design.
Materials & Making
The technique of press-moulding glass with the aid of a hand-operated machine was first perfected in the USA in the early 1820s. It took only two men to shape a measured quantity of hot glass in a heated metal mould. They simply depressed a lever that lowered a metal plunger into the glass, forcing it into the patterned mould. By the 1830s this method had spread to Britain and continental Europe, giving rise to stylistic changes in glass and revolutionising the availability of glassware. The technique made the mid-to-late 19th century the first real period of true mass production. In the 1890s the introduction of steam-powered presses improved the product while cutting costs even further.
This butter trencher was one of many types of glass dish, each designed for a particular food. Extensive glass table services became increasingly popular towards the end of the 19th century. Such sets were cheaply made in press-moulded glass and became widely available. They were often elaborate in design.
Materials & Making
The technique of press-moulding glass with the aid of a hand-operated machine was first perfected in the USA in the early 1820s. It took only two men to shape a measured quantity of hot glass in a heated metal mould. They simply depressed a lever that lowered a metal plunger into the glass, forcing it into the patterned mould. By the 1830s this method had spread to Britain and continental Europe, giving rise to stylistic changes in glass and revolutionising the availability of glassware. The technique made the mid-to-late 19th century the first real period of true mass production. In the 1890s the introduction of steam-powered presses improved the product while cutting costs even further.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Cutting (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Press-moulded glass |
| Brief description | Glass Butter trencher, England (Manchester), made by Percival, Vickers & Co. Ltd., 1885-1900, C.138-1983 . |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Registration number for 1/1885 (Registration number) |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Mrs Beeton decribes how to serve curled butter in such a dish: 'The butter may then be garnished with parsley, if to serve with a cheese course; or it may be sent to table plain for breakfast in an ornamental dish.'(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Gift of M. J Franklin |
| Object history | Manufactured by Percival, Vickers & Co. Ltd., Manchester |
| Summary | Object Type This butter trencher was one of many types of glass dish, each designed for a particular food. Extensive glass table services became increasingly popular towards the end of the 19th century. Such sets were cheaply made in press-moulded glass and became widely available. They were often elaborate in design. Materials & Making The technique of press-moulding glass with the aid of a hand-operated machine was first perfected in the USA in the early 1820s. It took only two men to shape a measured quantity of hot glass in a heated metal mould. They simply depressed a lever that lowered a metal plunger into the glass, forcing it into the patterned mould. By the 1830s this method had spread to Britain and continental Europe, giving rise to stylistic changes in glass and revolutionising the availability of glassware. The technique made the mid-to-late 19th century the first real period of true mass production. In the 1890s the introduction of steam-powered presses improved the product while cutting costs even further. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.138-1983 |
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| Record created | December 13, 1997 |
| Record URL |
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