This remarkably simple little cup was probably a ‘Lapkose’ or wedding cup from which a bride and bridegroom drank from opposite sides. Ceremonial drinking vessels of this type are characteristic of northern Scandinavia. The piece is a handsome example of silver made by Lapp (Saami) goldsmiths. The region known as Lapland, traditionally inhabited by the Saami people, covers the northern parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland.

The Museum acquired most of its collection of Scandinavian silver between 1900 and 1910. The collection consists largely of beakers and tankards, valued in Edwardian England as a Scandinavian “Arts and Crafts” tradition. George Jorck, a Danish silver dealer who worked in Hatton Garden in London, acted as agent for dealers in Copenhagen and was instrumental in acquiring many of the objects for the collection.
H. P. Mitchell of the Metalwork Department wrote in 1904, “Mr Jorck tells me large numbers are being sold to the American museums; it is pretty clear that the country districts of Sweden are being denuded rapidly and it might be well to make our gaps complete while there is this opportunity”.