☕ Cup
Also known as: cup, cup and saucer, coffee cup, teacup
A cup is a small handled vessel, usually paired with a saucer, for coffee, tea and milk.
A cup is a small handled vessel, usually paired with a saucer, for coffee, tea and milk. Museum Wales holds a Wedgwood cup and saucer from 1969, designed by Robert Minkin. The cup is 7 cm high and 8.4 cm across, and the saucer is 14 cm in diameter.
The shape is plain: a cylinder with a slightly flared rim, an indented base and a loop handle. The saucer stands on a footring and carries a border of blue triangles in three layers. The glaze is cream with brown flecks, and the body is earthenware. The museum bought the set in 1971.
In the EU, ceramics for food have their own specific rules on top of the general Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on food contact materials.
Compare it with its neighbours. A mug is about 12.4 cm tall and holds a pint, so the museum cup is almost half that height at 7 cm. A glass has no handle. A flat bowl or a piala will not replace a cup: neither has a handle or a saucer. A cup works for coffee and cappuccino, and for milk too.
For you, the lesson is to choose ceramics that follow the EU rules. The rest of the milk tableware sits alongside the cup.
Facts
| Raw material | Earthenware with a cream glaze 1 |
|---|---|
| Bottle size | Cup 7 cm high, 8.4 cm across; saucer 14 cm 1 |
| Duration | 1969 (made), 1971 (bought by the museum) 1 |
| Legal basis | Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004; ceramics have specific EU measures 2 |
How it connects to milk
Links
- What is poured
- 🥛 Milk, ☕ Coffee
- What is served
- ☕ Cappuccino
- Part of
- 🍼 Milk containers and tableware
Frequently asked questions
Is a cup the same as a teacup or a coffee cup?
In everyday use, yes: a small handled vessel, usually with a saucer, for coffee, tea and milk.
What is a Wedgwood cup made of?
Earthenware with a cream glaze flecked with brown. In the EU, ceramics have specific rules.
Does a saucer have a foot?
Yes. The museum saucer stands on a footring and has a border of blue triangles.
Do ceramic cups have to meet EU rules?
Yes. Ceramics have specific EU measures, plus the general Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.
How should I choose a cup?
Ceramics that follow the EU rules (Regulation 1935/2004); beyond that it is a matter of taste.