Two-handled Cup 1787 - 1793

This two-handled cup was crafted in Boston by Joseph Loring. The cup bears witness to a fascinating interplay of symbols, reflecting the social, cultural, and religious values of its time. Note the inscription indicating the cup's provenance: the Brattle Street Church in Boston. The inscription is framed by a ribbon, a motif with a long pedigree stretching back to antiquity. Often seen as an emblem of honor or allegiance, its presence signifies dedication and commitment, binding the church to its community, as well as to the divine. The shape echoes that of ancient Greek kraters used for mixing wine and water, suggesting a connection to classical ideals of harmony and balance. Such vessels were not merely functional; they embodied shared rituals and communal identity. The cup’s presence in a church setting reveals a continuity of symbolic forms, repurposed and imbued with new spiritual meaning. The collective memory embedded in these forms creates a powerful psychological resonance, linking past and present, sacred and secular. The cup becomes more than a mere object; it is a vessel of cultural memory, embodying the enduring human need for connection and meaning.