A cup is a drinking vessel, consisting of a bowl atop a stem and base.  It may also be termed a “chalice” or “goblet”, especially if ornamented or jewelled; such details are considered artistic license.  The cup is an ancient charge, found in the arms of de Argentine c.1244 [Asp2 216].

 

 

 

 

 

In Society armory, the cup is usually shown with open mouth; this matches examples from period Italian heraldry, such as the arms of de Bonfilliis, mid-15^th C. [Triv 64].  In most other period armory, the cup is normally covered:  with a domed lid in English armory, with stiffened cloth in Iberian and German armory.  Such covers seem to have counted for little if any heraldic difference; they are nonetheless blazoned in Society armory.  The mouth of the cup is to chief by default.

 

 

 

Related to the cup is the “beaker”, a basically cylindrical shape (slightly tapering) without stem or base.  It too is a period charge, found in the canting arms (Italian bicchiere) of di Bizeriis, mid-15^th C. [Triv 65].  A slightly modified form was found in the canting arms of Escher vom Glas, 1605 [Siebmacher 199]; this form shows a beaker “prunted” in the typical German mode.

 

 

 

Other drinking vessels found in Society armory include the “mazer”, a festive drinking bowl traditionally made from maple wood.  It is usually shown footed and decorated.

For related charges, see bowl, pitcher, saltcellar, tankard.  See also cupping-glass, mortar and pestle.

The Baron of Rising Waters bears:  Gyronny arrondi gules and argent, a goblet Or within a laurel wreath vert.

Snorri Styrr Bolli bears:  Gules, a chalice argent.

Armand de Mortain bears:  Per pale azure and sable, three cups Or.

Kolfinna Thorgrimsdottir bears:  Argent, a covered cup and a gore purpure.

Elen Greenhand bears:  Or, a mazer sable grasped by a pair of hands fesswise vert, within an orle of acorns proper.

Brangwain nic Stiubhard bears as a badge:  On a beaker azure a dolphin hauriant Or.