Loving Cup "Romantic Scene"

Around 1890

Two or three handled ceramic cups were once the “in” thing to use at celebrations. These odd-looking drinking cups, known as loving cups, showed up around the 15th Century throughout Europe. Ceremonial cups were popular at big celebrations such as weddings, feasts, and university sporting events. The sharing of punch or wine from a loving cup ensured good health to all who drank from it.

This three-handled porcelain cup shows the stages of a romantic courtship. Everyone loves a good love story, even in the 17th Century. One scene shows the suitor reading to his beloved, perhaps a love poem. He plays and sings her a love song in the next scene. In the final scene, with glass in hand, they celebrate their love. The loving cup is made by a mould with added Neoclassical handles in a fish motif. The raised relief design gives a 3-dimensional feeling to the romantic scenes. Made by German Villeroy and Boch, their functional and ornamental pottery was exported around the world.

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