Description
A superb and very rare Georgian Glass Cupping Cup.
The cup bowl with a folded rim and a ball knop that could be pulled to prise away the cup from the “patient”. Cupping is an ancient technique dating back to ancient Greece and maybe China too whereby “cups” would be heated with an open flame or hot water and placed on the bare skin of the chest or back of the patient. As it cooled it created a partial vacuum and this was alleged to remove “vapours” from the patient. They were made in many sizes but 18th century examples had folded rims to prevent the glass breaking when pulled away from the skin. Later models simply had thickened glass.
Over the years we have struggled to identify engravers. the meaning of engravings and the origins of some strange drinking vessels. A tankard and a wine glass have an obvious cause for their creation . the causality is one with which we are all familiar. On this occasion we have to ask . why ? Having read 40 pages on “miasma” . “foul vapours” and all manner of “dropsy” we advise that if you are living in 18th century Britain and you feel at all unwell . then save your doctors fees and go to the Inn for a large whiskey. it is much safer than anything that may emerge from the leather briefcase and has an equal probability of curing your chest cold without the risk of requiring stitches from shattering glass
English lead. no chips cracks or restoration. it measures 3 inches tall. approx. 2 ¼ inches in diameter with a 1 ¾ inch rim.
It has a few air bubbles as shown including one in the folded fim. this is quiet normal for folded feet and rims and is not damage.
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