Stirrup & Wager Cups
Browse our collection of specialist and novelty silver drinking vessels. An excellent range of early silver examples for the collector which are ideal for practical use and make a perfect gift.
Silver Stirrup Cups didn’t become popular until the mid 18th century. The name derives from a cup of wine or other alcoholic drink offered to a person on horseback who is about to depart on a journey (with one’s feet in the stirrups). This term is now more associated with the cup used at the traditional fox hunt. The stirrup cup is usually ornamental and often in the form of a fox head.
Silver Wager Cups are often referred to as Windmill Cups or Marriage Cups.
Silver Marriage Cups. These highly collectible double drinking vessels are also known as marriage cups. The idea is to drink the contents of the large cup (the lady’s skirt) without spilling the drink inside the small cup. The bride would drink from the small cup, the groom from the large cup.
Silver Windmill Cups were used as a drinking game. First fill the cup up with a liquor of choice and spin the windmill sails (either by hand or by blowing the horn). The challenge is to drink the contents of the cup before the sails stop. The clock hands on some windmills also revolve with the sails and a penalty would be due depending on the number where the hand (pointer) stopped.”
Stirrup & Wager Cups
Browse our collection of specialist and novelty silver drinking vessels. An excellent range of early silver examples for the collector which are ideal for practical use and make a perfect gift.
Silver Stirrup Cups didn’t become popular until the mid 18th century. The name derives from a cup of wine or other alcoholic drink offered to a person on horseback who is about to depart on a journey (with one’s feet in the stirrups). This term is now more associated with the cup used at the traditional fox hunt. The stirrup cup is usually ornamental and often in the form of a fox head.
Silver Wager Cups are often referred to as Windmill Cups or Marriage Cups.
Silver Marriage Cups. These highly collectible double drinking vessels are also known as marriage cups. The idea is to drink the contents of the large cup (the lady’s skirt) without spilling the drink inside the small cup. The bride would drink from the small cup, the groom from the large cup.
Silver Windmill Cups were used as a drinking game. First fill the cup up with a liquor of choice and spin the windmill sails (either by hand or by blowing the horn). The challenge is to drink the contents of the cup before the sails stop. The clock hands on some windmills also revolve with the sails and a penalty would be due depending on the number where the hand (pointer) stopped.”
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1773
John Lautier
8086 George III Silver Fox Stirrup Cup
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A beautifully modelled antique sterling silver stirrup cup in the form of a fox head. Fine features and lovely expressive face. Weight 147 grams, 4.7 troy ounces. Length 11.5 cm. Width 10 cm. English silver hallmarks on the rim for London 1773. Maker John Lautier.
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1850
6412 Continental Silver Miniature Wager Cup
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An antique silver model of a marriage cup having a queen in a crinoline dress with attractive decorative skirt and apron. Excellent quality and good weight. Small size. Parcel gilt. Weight 44 grams, 1.4 troy ounce. Height 10.25 cms. Diameter of base cup 3.5 cms. Stamped on the bottom of the skirt with continental silver marks. The small cup is stamped “13”. Circa 1850.
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1855
Daniel & Charles Houle
9869 Antique Silver Bear
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A superb antique silver standing cup in the Renaissance style modelled in the form of a standing bear with outstretched paws. The interior of the removable cast head, and the jewelled collar, are gilded. This delightful animal is beautifully modelled and engraved, the quality is very realistic. Weight 257 grams, 8.2 troy ounces. Height 18cm. Diameter of base 9.6cm. London 1855. Maker D & C Houle, (Daniel & Charles Houle, important silversmiths, sons of the famous silversmith John Houle). Sterling silver.
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1867
Edward. H. Stockwell
6585 Victorian Silver Fox Stirrup Cup
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Outstanding quality. A very lifelike antique silver fox head stirrup cup with a well modelled face and intricate fur detail. Excellent weight. Original gilt interior. Weight 508 grams, 16.3 troy ounces. Height 13 cms. Diameter 7 cms. London 1867. Maker Edward Stockwell.
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Circa 1890
9184 German Silver Wager Cup
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An antique silver model of a marriage cup modelled as a bearded gentleman with outstretched arms holding a cup that swivels. His richly decorated jacket and waistcoat sit over a long skirt which is the inverted drinking cup. Excellent quality and good weight. Parcel gilt. Weight 483 grams, 15.5 troy ounces. Height 31.5 cm. Stamped on the bottom of the skirt with German silver marks. Circa 1890.
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Circa 1890
9286 Antique Silver Wager Cup
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An antique silver model of a windmill mounted on a wine cup. Hand engraved. Beautifully constructed with multiple moving parts. The windmill house is reached by a staircase with two sculptured figures climbing up, on one side there is a man peeping out of a small window. The revolving windmill sails connect to the clock hands on the other side and both move together. The roof is mounted with a revolving flag, a tiny bird and a sculptured finial. There is a horn which is non-functional. Weight 203 grams, 6.5 troy ounces. Height 22.5 cm. Diameter of cup 8.5 cm. Fully stamped with Dutch silver marks fpr Amsterdam. Circa 1890.
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1890
5541 Antique Dutch Silver Marriage Cup
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An antique Dutch wager cup or marriage cup with a whistle and tall clock with revolving hands. Similar to the popular windmill cup. Gilt interior to the cup. Weight 301 grams, 9.6 troy ounces. Height 20 cms. Diameter of cup 8.75 cms. Dutch silver stamps. Circa 1890.
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Circa 1900
7893 Antique Continental Silver Marriage Cup
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A rare form of this highly collectible item modelled as a lady with a crinoline dress with a beautifully engraved skirt. However, to the other side the figure has the face of a man. The cup is hinged with long arms which swivels so that the top half rotates under which there is a second small cup. This can then be used as a traditional marriage cup. Weight 54 grams, 1.7 troy ounces. Height 7 cms. Diameter of base cup 4 cms. Spread when open 10.5 cms. Marked around the base with a Dutch control mark. Circa 1900.
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Circa 1964
Padgett & Braham Ltd
8871 Vintage Silver Fox Stirrup Cup
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A beautifully modelled sterling silver stirrup cup in the form of a fox head. Fine features and lovely expressive face. Heavy cast silver. Large size. Original gilt finish and interior. Weight 345 grams, 11 troy ounces. Height 16.5 cms. Diameter 8.1 cms. English silver hallmarks on the rim for London 1964. Maker Padgett & Braham Ltd.
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