Two-Handled Cup and Cover
Unknown Artist
1677
Medium
silver and silver gilt
Dimensions
{"overall":{"height":0.172,"width":0.115}}
Classification
Silver
Department
Decorative Art and Design
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Eugene R. Miles in honor of William Mathewson Milliken in appreciation of his interests in Cleveland artists
Accession Number
1958.422
About this artwork
Due to its size and ornament, this vessel may have functioned as a caudle cup, containing a mixture of ale or wine and bread, oatmeal, eggs, sugar, and spices that was given to women after childbirth to help them regain their strength. The scrolling foliage and exotic birds along the exterior of this cup were likely based on prints circulating in the 1600s. The reclining female figures capping the handles and the acanthus bud finial on the lid recall common architectural motifs.