Continental silver staghead stirrup cup
Continental silver staghead stirrup cup
9366
Substantial antique German silver (800 standard) stirrup cup surmounted by an impressive cast and hand-chased stag's head that is realistically modelled with well defined nine-pointer antlers. Oak leaves and acorns decorate the piece and the interior is lightly gilded. The flared cup is of oval form and hand hammered with honeycomb faceting.
While the stirrup cup had ancient Roman precedents, it was most popular popular in the late-18th and into the 19th century. Silver stirrup cups - or parting cups - are drinking vessels which were presented to riders on horseback prior to leaving on a traditional fox hunt, or arriving home from hunting. Either way, it happened while the riders were still mounted and their feet in the stirrups.
Specifically crafted for comfort when held in the hand and without a base, their small capacity allowed the beverage to be drunk quickly - usually spiced, port, sherry swine or a spirit-based spiced punch. On occasion the stirrup cups would sit in a bespoke tray to fit their unique shapes.
Since stirrup cups are connected with hunting, many are made in the form of a fox, stag, dog or horse's head.
Often unique, and somewhat novel, silver stirrup cups make great gifts.
Dimensions:
c1890
Germany
Excellent
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 stirrup cup surmounted by an impressive cast and hand-chased stag's head that is realistically modelled with well defined nine-pointer antlers. Oak leaves and acorns decorate the piece and the interior is lightly gilded. The flared cup is of oval form and hand hammered with honeycomb faceting. While the stirrup cup had ancient Roman precedents, it was most popular popular in the late-18th and into the 19th century. Silver stirrup cups - or parting cups - are drinking vessels which were presented to riders on horseback prior to leaving on a traditional fox hunt, or arriving home from hunting. Either way, it happened while the riders were still mounted and their feet in the stirrups. Specifically crafted for comfort when held in the hand and without a base, their small capacity allowed the beverage to be drunk quickly - usually spiced, port, sherry swine or a spirit-based spiced punch. On occasion the stirrup cups would sit in a bespoke tray to fit their unique shapes.Since stirrup cups are connected with hunting, many are made in the form of a fox, stag, dog or horse's head. Often unique, and somewhat novel, silver stirrup cups make great gifts.){kind=link}