Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sacred Silver & Stained Glass, Room 83, The Whiteley Galleries

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.


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
  • Height: 12.2cm
  • Including handles width: 20cm
  • Of cup diameter: 12.2cm
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 createdJune 20, 2003
Record URL
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