Large Antique Farmer's Loving store Cup

store This large antique loving cup was made to celebrate the work of farmers. On one side of the cup are images of all the tools used by the farmer, his wife churning butter and the animals he tends on his farm. The farm motto 'God speed the plough' is also highlighted. The other side of the cup has a poem written by a farmer extolling the benefits of being a farmer and another banner saying 'Industry produceth wealth'. The idea of having 2 handles on the cup was so it could be passed from one person to another easily. The cup is hand painted over a black transfer print. It would have been made in England about 1860. At this point in England, many people were leaving the countryside and traveling to London and other large cities looking for work and a better life. This loving cup was to encourage farmers to stay on the land and value their labor as farmers. It stands 5 inches tall and holds 32 ounces or 4 cups of liquid. It is free of any chips or damage but does have a feint short hairline in the bottom of the base.