The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 22, 2025

Two-Handled Cup

1677

England, London, 17th century

(Charles II)
silver and silver gilt
Overall: 17.2 x 11.5 cm (6 3/4 x 4 1/2 in.)
Gift of Mrs. Eugene R. Miles in honor of William Mathewson Milliken in appreciation of his interests in Cleveland artists 1958.422.a
Location: 203A British Painting and Decorative Arts

Did You Know?

This two-handled cup is accompanied by a lid. See cover record.

Description

Due to its size and ornament, this vessel may have functioned as a caudle-cup, containing a mixture of ale or wine and bread, oatmeal, eggs, sugar, and spices that was given to women after childbirth to help them regain their strength. The scrolling foliage and exotic birds along the exterior of this cup were likely based on prints circulating in the 1600s. The reclining female figures capping the handles and the acanthus bud finial on the accompanying lid recall common architectural motifs.
  • ?-1958
    Elizabeth E. Miles [Mrs. Eugene R. Miles, 1896-1978], Shaker Heights, Ohio.
    ?-1958
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 128 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 128 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 170 archive.org
  • British Gallery Reinstallation (June 2020). The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).
  • {{cite web|title=Two-Handled Cup|url=false|author=|year=1677|access-date=22 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1958.422.a