Loving Cup “Dog Cup”

1872

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 celebrates everyone’s best friend, the dog. Four dogs of different breeds decorate the cup. The sgraffito carving technique used to create the dog images is repeated on the handles and below the rim. The cup has a unique silver rim with a series of five hallmarks. Look closely at the rim on the seated dog scene and you’ll see five silver hallmarks - “JKB”, a crown, a lion, “L” and “silhouette”. The blue glaze on the handles sets off the tan matte glaze. This loving cup was made by Hannah Barlow for Royal Doulton in Lambeth, England.