Sugar Bowl
1730-1731 (hallmarked)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
A sugar bowl and cover.
Use
This bowl and cover would probably have formed part of a tea or coffee service, comprising a milk jug, slop bowl and hot water urn in addition to the tea- or coffee-pot and cups and saucers. In the 18th century, refined white sugar generally came in large cones, which would be cut into small lumps in the kitchen with shears. The sugar bowl would be set on the table, and would have contained lump sugar, served with tongs. At this date sugar was imported into Britain from slave plantations in the West Indies, notably the island of Jamaica. Sugar was a luxury and a costly commodity, and was taken with tea and with coffee.
Function & Form
Since the Chinese did not take sugar with their tea, and therefore had no sugar bowls, the English goldsmiths were obliged to develop new forms for the tea service. This form imitates the Chinese porcelain tea bowls and covers that were imported in vast quantities at the time. The flat cover with its raised ring finial could be inverted to serve as a small dish or tray, possibly to hold spoons, or the sugar tongs.
Decoration
This simple, early form is generally left plain, the only decoration being the engraved armorials.
A sugar bowl and cover.
Use
This bowl and cover would probably have formed part of a tea or coffee service, comprising a milk jug, slop bowl and hot water urn in addition to the tea- or coffee-pot and cups and saucers. In the 18th century, refined white sugar generally came in large cones, which would be cut into small lumps in the kitchen with shears. The sugar bowl would be set on the table, and would have contained lump sugar, served with tongs. At this date sugar was imported into Britain from slave plantations in the West Indies, notably the island of Jamaica. Sugar was a luxury and a costly commodity, and was taken with tea and with coffee.
Function & Form
Since the Chinese did not take sugar with their tea, and therefore had no sugar bowls, the English goldsmiths were obliged to develop new forms for the tea service. This form imitates the Chinese porcelain tea bowls and covers that were imported in vast quantities at the time. The flat cover with its raised ring finial could be inverted to serve as a small dish or tray, possibly to hold spoons, or the sugar tongs.
Decoration
This simple, early form is generally left plain, the only decoration being the engraved armorials.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Engraved silver |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Engraved with the arms of Baron of Essex or Hill of Somerset |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Silver sugar bowls of the early 18th century were usually simple in design. This example has only a family's coat of arms for decoration. The lid might have been used as a dish for spoons, known as a waiter.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Ethel Gurney |
| Object history | Made in London by Edward Cornock (active from 1707) |
| Summary | Object Type A sugar bowl and cover. Use This bowl and cover would probably have formed part of a tea or coffee service, comprising a milk jug, slop bowl and hot water urn in addition to the tea- or coffee-pot and cups and saucers. In the 18th century, refined white sugar generally came in large cones, which would be cut into small lumps in the kitchen with shears. The sugar bowl would be set on the table, and would have contained lump sugar, served with tongs. At this date sugar was imported into Britain from slave plantations in the West Indies, notably the island of Jamaica. Sugar was a luxury and a costly commodity, and was taken with tea and with coffee. Function & Form Since the Chinese did not take sugar with their tea, and therefore had no sugar bowls, the English goldsmiths were obliged to develop new forms for the tea service. This form imitates the Chinese porcelain tea bowls and covers that were imported in vast quantities at the time. The flat cover with its raised ring finial could be inverted to serve as a small dish or tray, possibly to hold spoons, or the sugar tongs. Decoration This simple, early form is generally left plain, the only decoration being the engraved armorials. |
| Bibliographic reference | V&A Catalogue, 1965
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.164:1, 2-1939 |
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| Record created | April 26, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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