The Afro-American advance. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1899-19??, 1900-01-20
CUSTOM OF CUP GIVING.
Growing Popularity of This Charnc-
ter of Testimonial tn This
Country.

Country.
During the last ten years the custom
has become widespread of hestowing
upon friend. heroes.. PATROL.
champions OF sports drinking vessels Of
peculiar significanee.. The custom COM
ing TO us from the paSt found only a
rare following in the first half of the
century,, but with the winning of the
Americas cup by the#New York Yacht
club at Cowes in=isai the foundation
was laid for cups rs awards the
sports of Ameriea.Z Since then they
have figured in races of all descriptions
-sacht. foot. horse and even wagon
contests while games and athletic
sports all lover the country have en-
tered the growing list of competitors
for this form of aware. The only motor
powers so far not represented ere steam,
and electricity. though there awaits al
u well-known jewelry house fine ehal
lenge cup. designed and manufactured
at cost of 10000, for the winners OF
international steam yacht races.
These trophies have grown in artistic
'
become objects of national interest
Descended from the "Mazer" which in
the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries
became an important possession of cor
porate bodies, whose members, slipping
the wine from its capacious bowl, thus
gave expression to the fraternal senti-
ments of trust aEd good will. they have
81 has . hs, g
unity. and a tittingly popular symbol
among the people of America. Loving
cups have their origin further back In
Anglo-SaXon days, when to guard
against treachery the cup was passed
from one TO the other at table. each
qnailing of its contents. And woe TO
him who refused. for the eye of sus-
fastened upon him.
Covers for loving cups were adopted
after the assassination of Edward the
Martyr, thus further insuring immun-
ity from attack by requiring the per-
son passing the cup 10 hold the cover,
the courtesy giving occupation TO his
right or dagger hand. Later, at the
whose royal gloves were deiuged with
wine from a single-handed cup served
10y an awkward attendant. numerous
handles, sometimes as many as eight,
were added. which afterward became
the distinguishing characteristic of the
loving cup. Those of only two handles
thcnceforth were classed as parting
L., I'D of q
used
The prototype OF American sport
cups. won nj Cowes, has long been out
stripped by its successors in points of
artistic workmanship. Some of the
famous trophy cups Of America. the j.
Pierpont Morgan cup, the Goelet cup
and the Astor cup, are of far greater
value than the Americas cup though
they do not possess international fame.
II is in loving cups that the greatest
range OF ideas take shape ia metallic
are expression. They combine all the
grace Of sentiment with apt design, aud.
considering the variety of exploits and
achievements represented in the de-
mand, the field has become almost uu-
wonderful Improvement in cup manu-
facture and the highest art sense now
forms the basis of their production. AS
examples mention may be made of the
cup presented n few years ago TO Fran
els korbay. the Hungarian musician.
upon his return to that country. In its
conception the singing reeds of Hum
gary were made the main feature of
design. springing from the base of the
cup and twining together into heart
shaped handles. Chased in relief on the
bowl was the figure of knight clasp
ing "A harp and at the base stood two
figures one representing music and
song, the other poesy.
Another cup of superior design was
that presented to Rev DIR. II. S. Storrs
on attaining his fiftieth year in the
pastorate of the Church OF the Pilgrims.
Brooklyn. it was east in the old Eng
lish pulpit shape, supported at the base
and sides by water lilies, the classic
symbol Of oratory. One Of the most
elaborate cups is the Tammany cup,
presented To Richard Croker in 1896. II
bristicd with Indian war ornaments,
tomahawks. feathers, spears aud ar
rows.
The famous cups presented during
the past year are too well known 70
need description, That Of President
Mckinley 10 Ambassador CambOu in
commemoration Of his services in the
restoration of peace between the United
States and Spain, and The magnificent
gold loving cup to Admiral Dewey from
the city Of New York hold rank MS the
handsomest cups ever produced in
this country. y. sun.