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METHER CUP
Mether is a drinking-vessel of Celtic origin used in Ireland to drink mead, an alcoholic beverage made of honey, water and yeast.
Early examples found in bogs are four sided wooden cups with three or four handles elongated at the end, so they end parallel to the base.
The best known example of ancient Mether is the Dunvegan Cup, a 10th century wooden artifact with 15th century silver ornamentation. It belongs to
the Clan MacLeod of the Scottish Highlands and is preserved in the Dunvegan Castle.
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Silver examples based on ancient wooden prototypes were manufactured since the 18th century and at the beginning of the 20th century many UK makers
resumed the manufacture of silver mether cups, often used as presentation cups or as a child's Christening mug.
The new cups, standing on four square handles with deep lobes extending down to the level of the base to form their legs, were characterized by
reduced dimensions, usually not exceeding 3" in height (7,5cm).
This page of "Silver Dictionary" is based on a wider article written by Giorgio Busetto, published in Silver Magazine, November/December 2007.
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