Cleveland Museum of Art

Two-Handled Cup and Cover

Date

1677

Medium

silver and silver gilt

Culture

England, London, 17th century (Charles II)

Department

Decorative Art and Design

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

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. Cups of this kind are often called sleeve cups since the ornament is incorporated into a pierced and chased hollow tube that slides over the gilded body of the cup.

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