XV. COMPORTS, SWEETMEAT, JELLY AND CUSTARD GLASSES
COMPORTS
COMPORT, WITH CAPTAIN GLASS AND SWEETMEAT GLASS; ALL THREE SHOWING THE “INVERTED OBELISK” STEM
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.