Dessert pyramid

Status

Not on view

Label Text

In August 1759, George Washington received from London, "3 Salvers, 1 Top piece, 1 dozn Sullibub Glasses, 2 dozen Jellys, 1 dozen Sweet Meat ditto [glasses], [and] 2 dozn Baskets." Together, this glassware formed one of the most stunning centerpieces of the day-a pyramid of round glass salvers displaying a variety of specialized glass forms filled with tempting desserts. This mid-eighteenth century glass pyramid, similar in form to Washington's, demonstrates the alluring delicacy of the assemblage.

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Date1740-1780

Geography Made - England

Medium/TechniqueGlass

DimensionsOverall: 8 in. x 13 1/4 in. x 13 1/8 in. (20.32 cm x 33.66 cm x 33.35 cm)

Credit LineGift of Frank P. Dickinson, 1986

Object numberM-3025/A

DescriptionGlass salver with nearly flat circular top which rises to a short concave dome at the center over the stem; upturned, tooled, and outward flaring rim; molded pedestal stem with double collar at base; elongated tear within base of stem; domed and folded foot; pontil mark on base of stem.
Published ReferencesCarol Borchert Cadou, The George Washington Collection: Fine and Decorative Arts at Mount Vernon (New York: Hudson Hills Press, 2006), 32.

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