Cup for detecting poison, Europe, 1551-1660

Assay cup for detecting poison, with a bishop's monogram

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Assay cup for detecting poison, with a bishop's monogram
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Assay cup for detecting poison, with a bishop's monogram, rhinoceros horn and silver, European, 1551-1600

Assay cups such as this one were used to taste wine. This cup is made from silver and rhinoceros horn. The rhinoceros horn was said to change colour and sweat if poison was placed in the cup.

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A634419
Materials:
complete, rhinoceros horn and silver
Measurements:
overall: 75 mm 52 mm, .06kg
type:
poison cup