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Sweetmeat glass
Unknown - Enlarge image
Sweetmeat glass
- Place of origin:
England, Great Britain (made)
- Date:
1725-1750 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
Glass, with moulded pedestal stem
- Credit Line:
Bequeathed by Mrs Barlow
- Museum number:
C.175-1918
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 118a, case 5
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.
