Pair of Cups with Covers

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Pair of Cups with Covers

Artist Thomas Betts (Glasscutter) (British (London), died 1765)

Artist Thomas Heming (Silversmith) (British (London), 1722/23 - 1801)

Dateabout 1752-1753

Dimensionswith cover, H: 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm)
without cover, H: 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)
base diam: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm)

Mediumblown, cut, lead glass

ClassificationGlass

Credit LinePurchased with funds from Florence Scott Libbey Bequest in memory of her Father, Maurice A. Scott

Object number

1968.73A-B

On View

Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion (2444 Monroe Street), Glass Pavilion Gallery, 4

DescriptionCobalt-blue lead glass with gilded silver mounts.

Label TextThis pair of mounted cups represents the collaboration of two very successful English craftsmen: Thomas Heming (1722/3–1801), the Principal Goldsmith to King George III, and the high-end glasscutter Thomas Betts (died 1765). The design depends on the striking appearance of the richly textured, gilded silver mounts against the faceted and polished surface of the deep cobalt blue glass. The pleasing combination appears to have little precedent in England. The elegant swirled flutes decorating the lids required unprecedented control of the cutting wheel. Glass-cutting at the time was dirty and dangerous, since the fine particles thrown off by the process were rich in poisonous lead.Published ReferencesH. H. Mulliner, The Decorative Arts in England 1660–1780.Batsford, 192), fig. 172.

Art in Glass, Toledo, Ohio: The Toledo Museum of Art, 1969, p. 73.

R. J. Charleston, English Glass and the Glass Used in England, circa 400–1940 , London and Boston, 1984, pl. 44a.

Hilary Young, “Thomas Heming and the Tatton Cup,” The Burlington Magazine 125.962, May 1983, p. 286 (mentioned).

Page, Jutta-Annette, The Art of Glass: Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio, Toledo Museum of Art, 2006, p. 120, repr. (col.) p. 121.

Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Museum of Art Masterworks, Toledo, 2009, p. 211, repr. (col.).