Sweetmeat Glass
1680-1685 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Formed as a miniature dish of the period and mounted on a typical wine-glass stem, this piece must have served as a receptacle for nuts, crystallised fruit or perhaps for some type of dessert. Unlike the later 'sweetmeat' glasses, these early prototype examples are extremely rare.
Ownership & Use
By the 1680s English lead glass was freely available in London. Heavy glass was still very expensive, although lightweight objects like this piece would have been relatively cheap. However, the ownership of dessert glasses at this period implies an interest in sophisticated dining and a certain degree of wealth. As glass, particularly cut-glass, became increasingly popular on the dining table towards the end of the 18th century, so pyramids of salvers, loaded with jelly or ice-cream glasses and topped with a heavier version of this glass, became a common sight.
Formed as a miniature dish of the period and mounted on a typical wine-glass stem, this piece must have served as a receptacle for nuts, crystallised fruit or perhaps for some type of dessert. Unlike the later 'sweetmeat' glasses, these early prototype examples are extremely rare.
Ownership & Use
By the 1680s English lead glass was freely available in London. Heavy glass was still very expensive, although lightweight objects like this piece would have been relatively cheap. However, the ownership of dessert glasses at this period implies an interest in sophisticated dining and a certain degree of wealth. As glass, particularly cut-glass, became increasingly popular on the dining table towards the end of the 18th century, so pyramids of salvers, loaded with jelly or ice-cream glasses and topped with a heavier version of this glass, became a common sight.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Lead glass, with mould-blown ribbing and folded foot |
| Brief description | Sweetmeat, England (probably London), 1680 - 1685 |
| Physical description | Foot: folded; Bowl: lipped |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
LEAD-GLASS DRINKING VESSELS By the 1680s lead glass was common and cheap enough to provide souvenir toys, such as the tiny glass celebrating the Frost Fair on the River Thames in London. At the same time it was grand enough for the giant ceremonial goblets that were passed around a company of drinkers. The jelly and sweetmeat glasses, dwarf ale glasses and globular mugs for strong ale were typical of the wider range of table glass that was produced from the late 17th century. 'State Glasses & Covers' were listed in the Hampton Court inventory as late as 1736. Such grand goblets were sometimes used as chalices for communion.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Francis Buckley, Esq. |
| Object history | Made in England |
| Summary | Object Type Formed as a miniature dish of the period and mounted on a typical wine-glass stem, this piece must have served as a receptacle for nuts, crystallised fruit or perhaps for some type of dessert. Unlike the later 'sweetmeat' glasses, these early prototype examples are extremely rare. Ownership & Use By the 1680s English lead glass was freely available in London. Heavy glass was still very expensive, although lightweight objects like this piece would have been relatively cheap. However, the ownership of dessert glasses at this period implies an interest in sophisticated dining and a certain degree of wealth. As glass, particularly cut-glass, became increasingly popular on the dining table towards the end of the 18th century, so pyramids of salvers, loaded with jelly or ice-cream glasses and topped with a heavier version of this glass, became a common sight. |
| Bibliographic reference | W A Thorpe, English & Irish Glass (1929) pl.XXII
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.301-1914 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 13, 1997 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
