Silver Hunting Cup
A silver hunting cup is a sturdy drinking vessel designed for the field, forged in sterling silver, plate, horn, or glass.
Silver Hunting Cup
A silver hunting cup encompasses several distinct field forms, most commonly appearing as hip flasks with detachable cups, stirrup cups, trophies, and horn or glass beakers with silver rims.
The pieces on this page span the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods, alongside Georgian folk art examples and mid-twentieth-century designs.
Buyers seeking a silver hunting cup will frequently encounter silver-plated or sterling silver flasks bound in leather or crocodile skin, often featuring collapsible elements for easy transport on horseback.
How they were made
Silversmiths utilised sterling silver and silver plate, shaping metal through hammering, casting, and rim mounting to create durable vessels that could withstand outdoor pursuits.
Many pieces incorporate organic materials such as animal horn and glass, paired with stitched leather or crocodile hide cases designed to protect the glass bodies of hip flasks.
Advanced manufacturing techniques of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries allowed for complex mechanisms like collapsible stirrup cups and threaded silver caps.
Object types span hip flasks, stirrup cups, harvest cups, beakers, goblets, and spirit sets from British makers.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the weight of the silver, the crispness of any chased or hammered decoration, and the integrity of organic coverings like leather and crocodile skin.
Maker attribution elevates a piece, with established workshops demonstrating superior finishing on mounts, hinges, and fitted drinking cups compared to unbranded examples.
James Dixon And Sons·Hukin And Heath·Asprey London·John Hunt And Robert Roskell·W A Ellwick Ltd
The Silver Hunting Cup Glossary
- Stirrup cup
- A traditional drinking vessel handed to a rider while mounted on horseback before or during a hunt.
- Hip flask
- A thin container for holding liquor, curved to fit against the body and often accompanied by a removable cup that fits over the base.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy of silver containing ninety-two point five percent silver and seven point five percent other metals, typically copper.
- Silver plate
- A layer of silver applied to a base metal core, such as copper or nickel brass.
- Collapsible cup
- A drinking vessel constructed from overlapping telescopic rings that collapse flat into a small captive base.
Silver Hunting Cup: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a silver hunting cup used for?
These vessels were carried on horseback during field sports to hold spirits or wine for quick refreshment. They range from detachable cups on hip flasks to standalone stirrup cups handed up to riders.
Today they serve as decorative cabinet pieces, barware, or portable flasks for modern outdoor excursions.
How do I date a silver hunting cup?
Dating relies heavily on hallmarks stamped into the silver, which indicate the assay office, the maker, and the year of production. Stylistic markers such as Art Deco geometric lines or Victorian chased decoration also help narrow the era.
Unmarked silver-plated pieces are dated through manufacturing techniques, patent marks, and the style of accompanying leather or crocodile cases.
Are these cups made of solid silver?
The pieces vary between solid sterling silver and silver plate over a base metal. Many items also incorporate glass bodies, horn, or leather sheathing with silver rims and mounts.
Maker marks and hallmarks generally confirm whether a vessel is solid silver or plated.
How should I clean a silver hunting cup?
Silver components require a gentle silver polish applied with a soft cloth to remove tarnish while preserving the underlying metal. Leather and crocodile casings should be treated with appropriate leather conditioners rather than liquid polish.
Care must be taken around glass bodies and horn to avoid harsh chemical exposure during cleaning.