Cup & Saucer thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Cup & Saucer

c. 1850 (made)
Place of origin

This cup and saucer would have been made primarily as an ornament rather than for use. Jasper is a tough and durable material similar to its close relative, agate. However, when worked to give fine edges or thicknesses, the material may easily be chipped or cracked when knocked and it may also be heat-sensitive, depending upon the exact composition of the stone.
The cup and saucer were made in India in the 19th century, with most of the fashioning process being a combination of hand-working and turning on a bow-driven lathe.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Cup
  • Saucer
Materials and techniques
Jasper & bloodstone, cut & polished using abrasives, most probably fashioned by turning on a bow-driven lathe
Brief description
Cup and saucer, each having a short recessed foot with rim, jasper and bloodstone, India, c.1850
Physical description
A round cup and saucer fashioned in bloodstone with beige and red patches, with plain polished surfaces and with each standing on a short recessed foot with rim.
Dimensions
  • Cup (01389( is)) diameter: 68.0 to 68.3mm
  • Cup (01389( is)) height: 35.6mm
  • Cup (01389( is)) thickness: 1.5 to 2.0mm (Note: Thickness of the wall at rim)
  • Cup (01389( is)) depth: 29.2mm (Note: Internal depth from rim)
  • Cup (01389( is)) diameter: 24.7 to 25.1mm (Note: External diameter of foot)
  • Cup (01389( is)) depth: 3.25mm (Note: Depth of foot recess)
  • Saucer (01389 a ( is)) diameter: 104.7 to 105.3mm
  • Saucer (01389 a ( is)) height: 18.0 to 19.0mm
  • Saucer (01389 a ( is)) thickness: 1.2 to 2.3mm (Note: Thickness at rim)
  • Saucer (01389 a ( is)) depth: 13.4mm (Note: Internal depth from rim)
  • Saucer (01389 a ( is)) diameter: 40.3 to 41.0mm (Note: External diameter of foot)
  • Saucer (01389 a ( is)) depth: 1.5mm (Note: Depth of foot recess)
Dimensions vary with orientation
Object history
These objects were formerly in The India Museum in London and were then transferred to the South Kensington Museum (later renamed The Victoria & Albert Museum) in 1879. 1880 Register Entry: [Room 8. Case .] '01,389. CUP and saucer. Bloodstone. ?51'
Summary
This cup and saucer would have been made primarily as an ornament rather than for use. Jasper is a tough and durable material similar to its close relative, agate. However, when worked to give fine edges or thicknesses, the material may easily be chipped or cracked when knocked and it may also be heat-sensitive, depending upon the exact composition of the stone.
The cup and saucer were made in India in the 19th century, with most of the fashioning process being a combination of hand-working and turning on a bow-driven lathe.
Associated objects
Other number
?51 - India Museum Slip Book
Collection
Accession number
01389(IS) to 01389A/(IS)

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
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