Sculpture (Stirrup cup)

Description

This diminutive drinking vessel cast in the shape of a hunting dog’s head (boxer or bulldog breed) is an uncommon American silver example of a stirrup cup. Having an animal sculpture as a silver cup conveyed signals of privilege and perhaps taste, but the ritual of drinking a small alcoholic beverage just before a journey historically spanned diverse cultural and social practices. The sensitive modelling and fine surface chasing heighten this dog’s expressive, alert face and its collar forms the lip of the handle-less cup. The makers, silversmith brothers born in England, were likely familiar with figural stirrup cups associated with rural equestrian activities like fox hunting on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Although they advertised as makers of sterling silver articles, the “Pure Coin” mark on this cup indicates a silver purity that matched the American currency standard of the time.​