Two-handled Cup
ca.1790
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: 11 5/8 x 8 13/16 in. (29.5 x 22.4 cm); 23 oz. 5 dwt. (722.5 g) Cup without cover: H. 8 in. (20.3 cm); 17 oz. 9 dwt. (542.5 g) Lip: Diam. 5 in. (12.7 cm) Foot: Diam. 4 3/16 in. (10.6 cm) Cover: 4 9/16 x 4 13/16 in. (11.6 x 12.2 cm): 5 oz. 16 dwt. (180 g)
Classification
Cup
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Alphonso T. Clearwater, 1933
Accession Number
33.120.233
Art Historical Context
Crafted around 1790 by Boston silversmith Joseph Loring, this elegant two-handled silver cup exemplifies the refined artistry of early Federal America. Standing 11⅝ inches tall with its domed cover, the piece weighs a substantial 23 ounces, underscoring the opulence of high-end silversmithing. Loring, active in post-Revolutionary Boston, was renowned for his precise chasing and engraving techniques, blending neoclassical motifs with practical functionality—perfect for toasts, ceremonies, or society memberships. In the context of the young United States, such cups symbolized prosperity and civ...