History Of Cups

Cups as we know are essentially a container shaped like a bowl that we use to drink beverages from. Cups have been found to be used in the most ancient of times with archaeological findings dating as far back as several millennia. These cups have been used to drink all beverages from water to wine in all manner of shapes and designs from skull cups to goblets to chalices. Goblets on the whole are generally cups with stands made traditionally from metals and were the most common drink ware in medieval times.

Goblets, in fact are featured prominently in multiple artworks dating back thousands of years ago. One of them most common types of goblets are chalices. Chalices are so old that they have been dated back to the early beginnings of the Roman Catholic Church originally used during Holy Communions to carry Communion Wine. These chalices were essentially a form of goblet made of precious metals such as gold and silver and often accessorized with enamels as well as encrusted jewels designed mostly for ceremonial purposes. Today, with goblets and chalices going out of fashion due to their monumental costs of production, they have been replaced by their modern counterparts such as mugs and teacups.

Goblets And Chalices

Despite this, mugs predate goblets by several millennia. Before our ancestors ever discovered how to work metal, they first discovered ceramics which enabled them to make mugs very different from what we put our coffee in today. Although the mugs had a handle on the side similar to modern-day coffee mugs, these older versions were made with all matter of materials ranging from skulls, clay, wood and metal. However, these versions of mugs were difficult when used for hot beverages and it was not until around 600A.D. when porcelain was invented in China that the thin-walled mugs we know today gained popularity.

Another popular form of cups is the teacups which are similar to coffee cups with their main difference being the beverage they hold. Both types of cups can only be described as small cups with handles in the sides that allow handling with a thumb and one to two digits normally accompanied by a saucer whereby the cup is placed on the saucer. These cups were most often produced using ceramic materials with the most common being porcelain. The earliest form of cups designed specifically for the drinking of tea originated in the 10th Century B.C. in China.

These cups did not have handles until the production of their European counterparts which usually comprised of entire tea-sets. Another form of cups is the Quaich, a double handled shallow cup with origins tracing back to Scotland. Traditionally these cups were made with wood in the Highlands and were later mounted with silver when they gained popularity in locations such as Edinburgh and Glasgow. Another more peculiar form of the cup is the Pythagorean cup which was used originally to force the user to drink from it only in moderation aside from being used as a drink ware.

History Of Cups

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The History of Wine Goblets

I know what your thinking. A goblet is nothing more than a cup. Well, your right. But did you know the history behind this cup goes back to the 1300s. Goblets have been used as far back as the earliest religious ceremonies. Wine has been the primary drink of choice for it and continues to be. In its earlier days it was originally known as a chalice mainly because of its religious symbolism. Another name for it is Kiddush. This is the reciting of a blessing over the wine, prior to eating a festive meal. We are going to go over a little more about its origins so next time you are having people over for some wine you can throw in some neat facts about what you are drinking from.

Nowadays you primarily see them at weddings. The bride and groom use them to toast their guests. Goblets serve two purposes at weddings. They make beautiful accents to the reception's decor and not being a common item are used as a status symbol as well as a dining accessory. What kind of status would depend on what kind you are using. The most popular types at are crystal, gold, and sterling silver. Crystal makes for a nice setting on any table. To say something about your status would depend on where it came from. The Czech Republic produces some of the worlds best crystal and says something about what you think about crystal if you buy it from there. Gold cups are symbolic of family and tradition. There are also goblets made of pewter, if you like pewter, and they're not as expensive as crystal and sterling silver. It is most common for people to give Kiddush cups as gifts for special occasions such as Bar Mitzvahs or weddings. If you're into glass or crystal, wedding goblets are just one among hundreds of items that are manufactured by glass and crystal companies around the world. Some wedding vendors sell goblets made of red glass which will go well with any wine, and at Christmas time, you can take them out of your glass cabinet to grace your dinner table.

Goblets And Chalices

Sterling silver goblets have a unique history. One of the most interesting characteristics of a sterling silver goblet is its hallmark. A hallmark is a mark on the item given via a hammer and a punch. Countries have developed their own levels of silver quality. The French typically have the highest silver standards amongst all nations. The French required a silver content 950 parts per thousand. The French hallmark was the head of the goddess Minerva. The Germans are made with 800 parts per thousand and are usually marked with an "800" or "900" on it to show the quality as to which they are made. Other countries such as Russia, Spain, and Italy have developed their own chalices and are equally as nice. The Gorham Company would mark their sterling silver goblets with a Lion Passant, an anchor, and the letter "G" and sometimes with a number to show how many parts per thousands the piece had.

The History of Wine Goblets

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