Blue and white feeding cup, by Davenport (Crellin 29), English, 1820-1860

This glazed earthenware cup was used to feed sick people who were unable to sit upright. The hemispherical design with one handle is typical. The handle is on the right as the majority of people are right handed. Decorated with a blue transfer, the cup has a country scene of a river, trees, houses and people. The unusually wide foot gives this cup extra stability. The cup also has an S-shaped double curved lid known as an ‘ogee’.