In medieval times, people primarily used carved wooden bowls and, less commonly, hollowed-out animal horns as vessels for drinking.
Common Materials for Medieval Drinking Vessels
The types of cups used varied widely across social classes, regions, and time periods within the medieval era (roughly 5th to 15th centuries). However, some materials were more prevalent than others due to availability and cost.
Wooden Cups and Bowls
Wood was an exceptionally common and fundamental material for containers of all kinds, particularly in Northern Europe. Simple wooden bowls, often carved from a single piece of wood, frequently served as everyday drinking cups for the vast majority of the population. These were durable, relatively easy to produce, and affordable.
- Availability: Wood was abundant in most European regions, making it a readily accessible material.
- Practicality: Wooden vessels were robust, easy to clean, and suitable for daily, heavy use.
- Accessibility: Their widespread use spanned all social classes, from peasants to merchants, owing to their cost-effectiveness and functionality.
Horn Cups
Another notable material was animal horn. Hollowed-out horns, typically from cattle or goats, were crafted into drinking vessels. While certainly used, historical evidence suggests that these might have been reserved for more ceremonial occasions rather than common daily use in all contexts.
- Distinctive Appearance: Horn cups offered a unique, natural aesthetic, often polished and sometimes decorated.
- Potential Ceremonial Use: They were frequently associated with feasts, rituals, or served as symbols of status, rather than being everyday implements for the common person.
Other Materials and Their Uses
Beyond wood and horn, a variety of other materials were employed, reflecting the technological advancements and social hierarchies of the time.
| Material | Description | Typical Usage and Social Class |
|---|---|---|
| Pottery/Ceramic | Vessels made from clay, which could be unglazed earthenware or more refined, simply glazed pieces. | Common for everyday use, particularly in regions with good clay sources. Their quality and decoration varied significantly, from utilitarian pots for peasants to finer, decorated items for the wealthier classes. Learn more about medieval pottery. |
| Metal | Included materials such as pewter, bronze, silver, and gold. | Pewter was accessible to the gentry and prosperous merchants, offering durability and a more refined appearance than wood or basic pottery. Silver and gold cups were exclusive symbols of extreme wealth and status, often intricately ornamented and used by nobility and royalty at grand feasts. |
| Glass | Blown glass vessels, sometimes featuring intricate designs or decorative elements. | Rare and exceedingly expensive throughout much of the Middle Ages, especially during the early period. Glassware was primarily owned by the very wealthy, nobility, or used for special religious purposes, showcasing advanced craftsmanship. Explore medieval glass. |
Regional and Social Variations
The choice of drinking vessel was heavily influenced by geographic location, the availability of resources, and an individual's social standing.
- Peasants and common folk would almost exclusively use readily available and affordable wooden or basic pottery cups.
- Merchants and craftsmen might have access to more refined pottery, basic pewterware, or more finely crafted wooden vessels.
- Nobility and royalty would possess valuable metal cups (silver, gold) or even rare glass, which served not only for drinking but also as significant displays of wealth, power, and social standing.
The evolution of materials and craftsmanship over the medieval period also meant that what was considered rare in the Early Middle Ages might become slightly more accessible or varied by the Late Middle Ages.
