Sweetmeat Glass
1725-1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This type of flaring glass dish on a tall foot was made throughout the 18th century. Often called a sweetmeat glass, it was used primarily as the top fitment of a pyramid of graduated salvers (trays or 'waiters' for serving a dessert such as jelly) loaded with jelly and custard glasses (flaring stemless glasses with small feet). The name 'orange glass' or 'top glass' found in 18th-century bills shows that it usually held a crystallised orange. Many survive, some with expensive and elaborate cutting, suggesting that they had a secondary role as small dishes for delicacies on the dessert table.
Retailers & Trade
The component parts of a pyramid of jelly glasses could be bought from a glass dealer as a complete kit, or as separate items - all being likely to need regular replacement through breakages. In 1744 six ribbed jelly glasses could be bought for two shillings (4d each), while three salvers cost seven shillings.
This type of flaring glass dish on a tall foot was made throughout the 18th century. Often called a sweetmeat glass, it was used primarily as the top fitment of a pyramid of graduated salvers (trays or 'waiters' for serving a dessert such as jelly) loaded with jelly and custard glasses (flaring stemless glasses with small feet). The name 'orange glass' or 'top glass' found in 18th-century bills shows that it usually held a crystallised orange. Many survive, some with expensive and elaborate cutting, suggesting that they had a secondary role as small dishes for delicacies on the dessert table.
Retailers & Trade
The component parts of a pyramid of jelly glasses could be bought from a glass dealer as a complete kit, or as separate items - all being likely to need regular replacement through breakages. In 1744 six ribbed jelly glasses could be bought for two shillings (4d each), while three salvers cost seven shillings.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Glass, with moulded pedestal stem |
| Brief description | Sweetmeat glass,1740-1760, C.175-1918 |
| Physical description | Foot: folded; Stem: moulded pedestal; Bowl: lipped |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mrs Margaret Alice Barlow |
| Object history | Made in England |
| Summary | Object Type This type of flaring glass dish on a tall foot was made throughout the 18th century. Often called a sweetmeat glass, it was used primarily as the top fitment of a pyramid of graduated salvers (trays or 'waiters' for serving a dessert such as jelly) loaded with jelly and custard glasses (flaring stemless glasses with small feet). The name 'orange glass' or 'top glass' found in 18th-century bills shows that it usually held a crystallised orange. Many survive, some with expensive and elaborate cutting, suggesting that they had a secondary role as small dishes for delicacies on the dessert table. Retailers & Trade The component parts of a pyramid of jelly glasses could be bought from a glass dealer as a complete kit, or as separate items - all being likely to need regular replacement through breakages. In 1744 six ribbed jelly glasses could be bought for two shillings (4d each), while three salvers cost seven shillings. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.175-1918 |
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| Record created | December 13, 1997 |
| Record URL |
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