Loving Cup
ca. 1840 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This type of ceramic two-handled cup was formerly used in services in the Methodist Church. The front of this cup bears the words' Love Feast'. In early Methodist services people gathered round and shared a simple meal of bread and water, the water being drunk from communal cups such as this one.
This meal, known as a 'Love Feast', was distinct from Holy Communion. The focal point of the Love-Feast was the testimony, the spiritual 'sharing' to which the taking of food and drink together was the symbolic prelude. Love-Feast was one of the most popular religious meetings, due to it being one of the more sociable religious meetings.
The 'Love Feast' has its origins in the early Christian church, when it was known as the 'Agape'. 'Agape' means 'love' in Greek.
This meal, known as a 'Love Feast', was distinct from Holy Communion. The focal point of the Love-Feast was the testimony, the spiritual 'sharing' to which the taking of food and drink together was the symbolic prelude. Love-Feast was one of the most popular religious meetings, due to it being one of the more sociable religious meetings.
The 'Love Feast' has its origins in the early Christian church, when it was known as the 'Agape'. 'Agape' means 'love' in Greek.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Lead-glazed earthenware with underglaze transfer-printed decoration |
| Brief description | Two-handled loving cup, transfer-printed with romantic views and "Love Feast", Staffordshire, about 1840 |
| Physical description | Cylindrical pot with two handles, transfer-printed with romantic landscapes and the words "LOVE FEAST". Lead-glazes earthenware. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | "LOVE FEAST" (Decoration; Incoporated into decoration on side of cup; transfer-printed) |
| Credit line | Purchased through the Julie and Robert Breckman Staffordshire Fund |
| Historical context | The love-feast is a communal fellowship meal. The focal point of the Love-Feast was the testimony, the spiritual 'sharing' to which the taking of food and drink together was the symbolic prelude. Love-Feast was one of the most popular religious meetings, due to it being one of the more sociable religious meetings. It began in Apostolic times when Christians periodically observed a common meal known as the Agape (the word Agape means love in Greek). The Agape fell into decline for many years, but was resurrected in the 1720s when the Moravians (a Lutheran branch of Christianity) spontaneously re-introduced the love-feast as a common meal for social intercourse and religious rejoicing. Moravian missionaries took this custom with them on their 1737 voyage to America. John and Charles Wesley were also travelling to America on the same ship. They were most impressed by the Moravian's simple faith and sincerity. Later, John Wesley became more critical of the Moravians, and they in turn became critical of him. |
| Summary | This type of ceramic two-handled cup was formerly used in services in the Methodist Church. The front of this cup bears the words' Love Feast'. In early Methodist services people gathered round and shared a simple meal of bread and water, the water being drunk from communal cups such as this one. This meal, known as a 'Love Feast', was distinct from Holy Communion. The focal point of the Love-Feast was the testimony, the spiritual 'sharing' to which the taking of food and drink together was the symbolic prelude. Love-Feast was one of the most popular religious meetings, due to it being one of the more sociable religious meetings. The 'Love Feast' has its origins in the early Christian church, when it was known as the 'Agape'. 'Agape' means 'love' in Greek. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.1-2002 |
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| Record created | June 20, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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