XV. COMPORTS, SWEETMEAT, JELLY AND CUSTARD GLASSES
COMPORTS
A comport is a large glass stand upon which (as the name signifies) other things may be carried together. A comport consists of a large or largish glass disc, flat, with a rim to it, upheld upon a thick stem—most often a shouldered stem, in shape resembling an inverted obelisk, rising from a domed and folded foot. An old comport is a rare possession; a modern glass cake-stand, such as confectioners use, is a near approach to it in shape. The use of a comport appears to have been to stand on a dining-table, bearing a number of glasses filled with jelly or sweetmeats.
SWEETMEAT GLASSES
Old sweetmeat glasses were used at table much as bon-bon dishes are now, to pass round at the dessert course; or to hand to ladies at other than mealtimes, during a call. Sweetmeat glasses proper resemble wine glasses, but have wide bowls, thick-lipped, unsuitable for drinking from: the shape of the stem resembled that of the stem of the comport. Often these glasses were engraved.
“CAPTAIN” OR “MASTER” GLASSES
In the centre of the comport, surrounded by sweetmeat glasses, a bigger, taller “captain” or “master” glass stood; its shape resembled that of the smaller glasses, and it probably held a store from which these could be replenished. “Captain” glasses are much sought for; the most valuable are Waterford cut, the West-End price for one being now £8.
The bowls are usually varieties of the double ogee; the moulded stem is usually high-shouldered, inverted obelisk in shape, but air-spiral and cotton-white spiral stems are found (see illustration, page 1). A cut stem is usually knopped, but may be plain round, except for the cutting.
JELLY GLASSES
Jelly glasses are small, low, moulded or pressed, almost stemless, on domed or high instep feet; sometimes the bowls are plain blown or moulded, sometimes cut, sometimes hexagonal.
CUSTARD GLASSES
The most desirable custard glasses have handles. Some of them have square bases. Some of them resemble smallish wine glasses with corrugated stems. Most of them are decorated by pressed or incised lines.