The phrase "silver cup" evokes completely different concepts in different people. Some immediately imagine a noisy festivity in a medieval castle. Ruby wine spills from ornate silver goblets.
Others, having heard about the silver cup, mentally see an athlete who almost broke a sports record and for this received a silver medal and a cup - a sports award. A crowd of fans roars and applauds around, and the winner is certainly happy, but his joy, perhaps, is not what it seems to others. Indeed, instead of a silver cup and a medal, he could become the proud owner of gold awards, first place and universal recognition.
Which representation of the cup is correct?
The person who imagined a fun feast at the word "cup", like another sports fan, will also be right. These two completely different activities, sports and walking, have a common point of contact. Why are the sports goblet and the silver wine goblet practically the same thing?
The appearance of the drinking vessel
It turns out that cups existed in ancient times. They were distributed in many countries and in those days were used exclusively for drinking drinks. The shape of this dish was mainly in the form of a glass, but there was also a more sophisticated one, in the form of a bell.
Over time they began to make cups in the shape of birds or vegetables and fruits. Animals also served as inspiration for goblet craftsmen. The master completed each such item with a lid.
In addition to silver goblets, more expensive gold items were in demand. Over time, they learned to make them from porcelain, crystal and other materials. The products were decorated with various precious stones and enamel. Everything that the master is capable of, he tried to bring to life in the manufacture of each of his offspring. Therefore, the goblet has always been considered an expensive dish for wine.
Prize Cup
The silver cup has been a prize since the middle of the nineteenth century. In the Middle Ages, jousting became popular. The loser became disgraced and often dead in the course of the tournament battle. The opponent who defeated him took after the tournament a goblet filled with wine in order to quench his thirst and celebrate his victory. This is how the rule was established over time - to bring the cup to the winner. After all, sports have evolved from such tournaments.
Of course, today no one will bring an award cup filled with alcohol to an athlete. The object itself in sports competitions has become just a symbol of victory, but still remains a highly coveted reward, although it performs more of a decorative function.
To whom cups are given today
Today, the cup is no longer just an award in the sports field. It is appropriate to present it in many other competitions. By the way, such an item does not have to be given to a person connected in some way with sports and other activities of this kind.
The cup in our time can be presented as a gift to a relative or just a close person as a sign of his special distinctions. Souvenir departments offer cups with engravings: "The best husband" or "The best teacher". However, by looking for such a souvenir, you will make many exciting discoveries for yourself.
There is also a more expensive segment of such souvenirs. The variety of models of cups allows you to choose exactly the product that will bring aesthetic pleasure to the one who is given such a souvenir. Masters create unique products and copies of medieval analogues. Sometimes they deviate from conventional designs and, succumbing to a flight of fancy, create goblets of unusual shapes.
The classic souvenir cup is usually decorated very richly. Its walls are decorated with carved engraving, ornate patterns, precious and semi-precious stones. The material is not only silver and gold, you can even buy a goblet made of mammoth tusk. Such souvenirs are especially popular today.
A cup for every egg
If you don't have the opportunity to present your beloved and dear person with such a unique souvenir, you can get by with a pretty nice little thing. A silver egg cup is an interesting and rather original souvenir. Fans of soft-boiled eggs will be especially pleased with him. A similar cup from a good craftsman will be a funny present for a child, especially if the baby refuses to eat eggs for breakfast.
It would also be appropriate to present such a gift on Easter holidays. In addition to the stand, you can also purchase a special egg spoon, created in the same way as the "egg" cup, made of silver.
Here it is, the cup. For many millennia, it has come a long way and remains still relevant in many areas it has conquered. On this, his direction to development and transformation does not stop. Perhaps the craftsmen will soon offer us a new type of cup, and the egg cup will become a common and often used accessory in everyday life.
