What-is-it question CIV.

[2209patrick]

This vessel was made by Richard Williams, Dublin, 1772.
It is 5 inches (12.7 cm.) tall.

Characterized by a four sided mouth with the corners rising slightly.
Vertical square loop handles. On early 20th century examples, the handles often extend down to the base.
These types of cups can taper down to either a circular or square base.

What are these cups called?



Pat.
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[2209patrick]

This style is usually described as originating in Ireland.

Richard William's cup was donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, in 1968 by Irwin Untermyer.

Pat.
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[byron mac donald]

A loving cup, like used for trophies?

Regards- Byron
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[2209patrick]

Hello Byron.

No, it wasn't meant to be used as a trophy.

Richard William's cup is one of the few existing 18th century examples.
This cup was used for a specific drink found in Great Britain.

Pat.
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[larkfield]

For a guess, a Posset cup but posset I believe was also a drink in other European and US of A.
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[2209patrick]

Hello Larkfield.
Good idea, but it's not a posset or caudle cup.
Posset was also popular in the United States.

Byron, I think I know where you got the "loving cup" idea:
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/esilv/ ... 41.191.htm
This is awkward.
Loving cup is a broad term usually used for larger cups that are passed among guests for shared drinking.
I believe there is a more specific name for this cup.
I've got at least two books that state this.

Here's a clue: the drink used in Richard Williams cup included honey.

Pat.
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[JLDoggett]

A mead cup? At least 4 corners allow you to chose a clean place to drink.
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[2209patrick]

Hello JLDoggett.

Well done!
Yes, mead cup or meader is the Irish term for this vessel.
Also called a meth cup or mether.

Mead is a fermented drink made of water and honey ( with malt and yeast ).

Pat.
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[dognose]

Hi Pat,

I was just looking at this piece in a book I have on the Irwin Untermyer collection (printed in 1963, prior to him donating the collection), the thing that amazes me is the weight of the cup 29oz 7dwt but only 5" in height.

Regards Trev.
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[2209patrick]

Hi Trev.

Interesting about the weight.
Just curious, what does your book call the piece?

Pat.
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[dognose]

Hi Pat,

It refers to it as a Mead Cup.

" The shape of this cup, unusual for a silver vessel, revives that of the traditional early Celtic mether cup, made of wood.

Heraldry: On one side: achievements of the Crofton family of Roscommon Co. On the other side: monogram of Sir Edward Crofton, 2nd Baronet (1784), M.P. for Roscommon and Colonel of the Rose"

Regards Trev.
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