The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 20, 2025

Cover for a 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.)
In honor of William Mathewson Milliken in appreciation of his interest in Cleveland artists 1958.422.b
Location: 203A British Painting and Decorative Arts

Did You Know?

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

Description

Due to its size and ornament, the vessel accompanying this lid 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 the cup were likely based on prints circulating in the 1600s. The reclining female figures capping the handles and the acanthus bud finial on the 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=Cover for a Two-Handled Cup|url=false|author=|year=1677|access-date=20 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

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