ticketsMember | Make a donation

Loving cup

1772
Not on view
This Dublin-made cup does not fit into any style of the period, but instead is inspired by vernacular forms that would have been made of humbler material—in this case, wood. Its everyday counterpart was probably much larger and likely to have been found on a farm. A romantic evocation of earlier times, the cup is unusual in its anticipation of a mid-nineteenth century movement of producing folk-type objects in precious materials.

The arms belong to an unmarried baronet of the Crofton family, and include two mottos in ancient Irish, which may reflect the owner's special interests. The maker, Richard Williams, was a Dublin goldsmith. The city was an important center for silver crafts in the eighteenth century.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Loving cup
  • Maker: Richard Williams
  • Date: 1772
  • Culture: Irish, Dublin
  • Medium: Silver, silver gilt
  • Dimensions: Height: 5 in. (12.7 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Silver
  • Credit Line: Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1968
  • Object Number: 68.141.191
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Cup, Richard Williams, Silver, Irish, Dublin
Cup
Richard Williams
1774
Sugar tongs (part of a set), Gold, Irish, Dublin
Sugar tongs (part of a set)
Irish, Dublin
ca. 1730–50
Set of five teaspoons, John Ladyman, Gold, Irish, Dublin
Set of five teaspoons
John Ladyman
1711/12
Teaspoon (part of a set), Gold, Irish, Dublin
Teaspoon (part of a set)
Irish, Dublin
1749
Teapot, David King, Silver, wood, Irish, Dublin
Teapot
David King
1723–24

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.