Monday 13 February 2012

Love Feast

Yesterday, at an antiques fair in Halifax, Mr. N called me over to see his latest find. "I love it! Can I keep it?" I exclaimed when I saw the simple white pottery antique loving cup, emblazoned with a seemingly very un-Victorian inscription.


                                                     
This treasure, discovered so close to St Valentine's Day, would be the perfect addition to our modest collection of 19th century mugs, some of which are tokens of Mr. N's affection for me (I think).


                                                          
Of course a Lovefeast was not quite the wild, hippy-ish event it's name evokes. This mug was once a souvenir of a Nonconformist religious gathering where a simple meal was shared in a celebration of brotherly love. Primitive Methodists and Moravians both enjoyed this sociable act of worship. 


        Such loving cups bearing the word  "Lovefeast" are quite hard to find.



                                   "Praise The Lord" is more usual.

                                                           
     Mr N. agreed that I should keep it and I accepted with great pleasure...


                      
                            ...it's definitely NOT transferable.
                                                 
                                                     ***

7 comments:

  1. Definitely not! What a great find...
    Love the spotty bovine too.
    Julie x

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  2. I'd be over the moon at such a find!

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  3. Thanks for introducing me to your blog - from what I have seen so far I love it.

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  4. I have found your blog today by a circuitous route and love your idea of then and now photos. I'm afraid I have pinched your idea today. The mug is wonderful, but why would they have two handles? Ann x

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    1. I should have added that these two handled mugs are known as loving cups to be shared at all sorts of gatherings and celebrations and symbolizing friendship and unity.

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  5. Great mugshots! I would have begged to keep it too. And again, I learn something new from a fab blog. M x

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    1. Thank you! I have reserved a place for it in my kitchen - that's when the painting is finished, the flooring is fixed etc.etc.

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