Glass

VESSELS AND TRAYS FOR SERVING WATER
In the rarified cuadra de estrado, even the consumption of water was an elaborate ceremony. Guests were served fresh water, accompanied by sweet biscuits for dipping, on large serving trays or round silver salvers. Imported glasses from Venice and La Granja (outside Madrid) are often listed in colonial inventories along with aromatic clay beakers from Tonalá, Mexico, known as búcaros de Indias, which were particularly prized and widely collected. Because of their porous clay, these vessels slightly chilled the water and also imparted a particular earthy fragrance that was much appreciated. The fascination with búcaros de Indias was so extreme that ladies ate little pieces of them to savor the taste.