On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Cream Jug

ca. 1875 (design registered)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This jug is entirely functional and made for daily use as a cream-pourer for puddings, tea or coffee. Extensive glass table services became increasingly popular towards the end of the 19th century. Cheaply made, in pressed glass, such sets were often elaborate and became widely available.

Materials & Making
The technique of press-moulding glass with the aid of a hand-operated machine was first perfected in the United States of America in the early 1820s. It took only two people to shape a measured quantity of hot glass in a heated metal mould. By simply depressing a lever, a metal plunger was lowered into the glass, forcing it into the patterned mould. By the 1830s this method had spread to Europe and Britain, giving rise to stylistic changes and revolutionising the availability of glassware. The technique made the mid- to late 19th century the first period of true mass production. In the 1890s the introduction of steam-powered presses improved quality while cutting costs even further.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Press-moulded glass
Brief description
Cream jug, England (Gateshead-on-Tyne), made by Sowerby & Co., Ellison Glass Works, 1875-1900
Dimensions
  • Height: 10.1cm
  • Maximum depth: 10.6cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 07/07/1999 by Terry
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Diamond registration mark for 6/1875 (Diamond registration mark)
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
Glass cream jugs were used for serving cream with the pudding as well as with coffee and tea.
Credit line
Gift of M. J Franklin
Object history
Manufactured by Sowerby & Co. Ellison Glass Works, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
Summary
Object Type
This jug is entirely functional and made for daily use as a cream-pourer for puddings, tea or coffee. Extensive glass table services became increasingly popular towards the end of the 19th century. Cheaply made, in pressed glass, such sets were often elaborate and became widely available.

Materials & Making
The technique of press-moulding glass with the aid of a hand-operated machine was first perfected in the United States of America in the early 1820s. It took only two people to shape a measured quantity of hot glass in a heated metal mould. By simply depressing a lever, a metal plunger was lowered into the glass, forcing it into the patterned mould. By the 1830s this method had spread to Europe and Britain, giving rise to stylistic changes and revolutionising the availability of glassware. The technique made the mid- to late 19th century the first period of true mass production. In the 1890s the introduction of steam-powered presses improved quality while cutting costs even further.
Collection
Accession number
C.53-1983

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

Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest