The Story
This rare and intriguing set of three hand-blown British cupping vessels are fascinating survivors of 19th-century medical history. In the Victorian era, these "bells" or "jars" were used in a process believed to draw out "vapors" and treat various ailments. Heated with a flame and placed on the skin, they created a vacuum as they cooled. Today, their delicate, bell-like shapes and long finial handles make them striking sculptural objects for a modern interior or a "Cabinet of Curiosities."
The Details
Dimensions: Large (x2): 14.5cm H x 8.2cm Diameter Small (x1): 10.5cm H x 8.5cm Diameter.
Material: Hand-blown antique glass.
Era: Victorian (c. 1850s–1880s).
Condition: Wonderful antique condition with no chips or "nibbles." The glass contains a few light surface marks and original manufacturing inclusions/bubbles. The smaller cup has a ground edge (the part that touched the skin), while the larger ones are unground.
Why They’re Special
While the practice of cupping remains common in parts of Asia, these specific glass vessels are rare examples of English medical social history. Their aesthetic appeal lies in their purity of form - simple, clear glass with elongated handles that make them look almost like miniature cloches. They represent a bridge between early medical science and the beauty of functional glasswork.
Styling Tips
Cabinet of Curiosities: Place these on a bookshelf alongside leather-bound books, antique apothecary jars, or botanical specimens. Their unusual shape makes them an instant conversation starter.
Miniature Cloches: Use them as tiny display domes. Place a single air plant, a cluster of sea glass, or a small fossil underneath to create a delicate, protected display on a mantle or windowsill.
Light & Shadow: Style them in a spot that catches the sunlight. Because they are hand-blown, the bubbles and inclusions in the glass will cast beautiful, subtle shadows across your surfaces.
Shipping & Sustainability
100% plastic-free, recyclable, and biodegradable packaging.
U.K. Delivery: Sent via FREE Royal Mail Tracked 48 service.
The Story
This rare and intriguing set of three hand-blown British cupping vessels are fascinating survivors of 19th-century medical history. In the Victorian era, these "bells" or "jars" were used in a process believed to draw out "vapors" and treat various ailments. Heated with a flame and placed on the skin, they created a vacuum as they cooled. Today, their delicate, bell-like shapes and long finial handles make them striking sculptural objects for a modern interior or a "Cabinet of Curiosities."
The Details
Dimensions: Large (x2): 14.5cm H x 8.2cm Diameter Small (x1): 10.5cm H x 8.5cm Diameter.
Material: Hand-blown antique glass.
Era: Victorian (c. 1850s–1880s).
Condition: Wonderful antique condition with no chips or "nibbles." The glass contains a few light surface marks and original manufacturing inclusions/bubbles. The smaller cup has a ground edge (the part that touched the skin), while the larger ones are unground.
Why They’re Special
While the practice of cupping remains common in parts of Asia, these specific glass vessels are rare examples of English medical social history. Their aesthetic appeal lies in their purity of form - simple, clear glass with elongated handles that make them look almost like miniature cloches. They represent a bridge between early medical science and the beauty of functional glasswork.
Styling Tips
Cabinet of Curiosities: Place these on a bookshelf alongside leather-bound books, antique apothecary jars, or botanical specimens. Their unusual shape makes them an instant conversation starter.
Miniature Cloches: Use them as tiny display domes. Place a single air plant, a cluster of sea glass, or a small fossil underneath to create a delicate, protected display on a mantle or windowsill.
Light & Shadow: Style them in a spot that catches the sunlight. Because they are hand-blown, the bubbles and inclusions in the glass will cast beautiful, subtle shadows across your surfaces.
Shipping & Sustainability
100% plastic-free, recyclable, and biodegradable packaging.
U.K. Delivery: Sent via FREE Royal Mail Tracked 48 service.
