Set of Six Victorian Star Diamond and Circle Engraved Lead Crystal Custard Cups c.1860

This is a highly attractive set of six lead crystal custard cups, probably British in origin and dating to between 1860 and 1870.

The bucket-shaped bowl is of tapering form with a thickened base. It has been engraved below the rim with a circumferential band of dots. Below this is a broad band of diamond-shaped panels, bordered above and below with a fine circumferential line. The panels alternate, containing either engraved circles or eight-pointed stars. The triangular-shaped spaces between adjacent diamonds are filled with engraved angular dashes. This panel surmounts a fine circumferential band, from which extends a band of alternating long and short vertical lines.

The bowl sits on a short-waisted stem and plain, flat foot. The latter has a central polished pontil. The applied handle is of decorative form, looping around and being crimped at the lower attachment. This has been turned up at the end to create a small loop.

Each custard cup has a height of approximately 8.0cm, with a diameter across the rim of about 5.4cm and across the foot of about 4.7cm. There may be minor discrepancies in the dimensions due to the handmade nature of the cups.

Each cup has a liquid capacity (to the brim) of 85ml.

They have an unwrapped weight of 600g.

They are in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks.