Rare 18th Century Goblet Carved From A Single Piece Of Oak With Assortment Of Protection Marks Dated 1779
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A wonderful 18th century goblet carved from a single piece of oak and dug out inside. Likely given as a form of love token with a date of a significant occasion carved into it, along with a heart and someone’s initials. It also has an assortment of ritual protection marks.
The ritual carvings serve as powerful spiritual barriers designed to protect both the vessel’s contents and the bond it represents. While the crossed branches function as a romantic love token symbolising two intertwined lives, they simultaneously join the cross, the saltire, the hexafoil, and the rim’s geometric zig-zags in acting as apotropaic defenses against the supernatural.
Because malevolent forces were believed to be hyper-focused on following lines, the intersecting diagonals of the saltire and the endless loops of the hexafoil were meant to confuse, trap, and neutralise evil spirits. These symbols, reinforced by the chevron border sealing the rim, ritually enclosed the liquid to prevent negative energies or bad luck from contaminating, spoiling, or souring it.
A rare survivor and a fabulous piece of social history!
Condition is good, commensurate with age and use. Structurally sound. A Small split to the base of the cup from age, use and warping.
Measures 12cm x 7.5cm
Weighs 184.19 grams
