Stirrup cup, associated with James VI (I of England)

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A stirrup cup is used for a farewell drink taken by a mounted rider about to depart. This is said to be the stirrup cup from which James VI drank at Dunfermline in 1603 before setting out for London and the English crown.

Made in a style known as 'façon de Venise', the cup was probably the work of migrant Venetian glassworkers in the Netherlands. It is an example of the commercial and cultural exchanges between Scotland and the Low Countries in the 16th century.

The cup later passed into the hands of the Halkett family of Pitfirrane by Dunfermline.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-002-402-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MEN 69
• Date: Late 16th century
  
• Material: Glass
  Goblet / wine glass / stirrup cup
  
• Dimensions: 250 mm H
  
• What: Goblet / wine glass / stirrup cup
  
• Subject: Glass, including wine bottles and bottle stamps (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Halkett Collection
  Halkett of Pitfirrane (Owner)
  James VI
  
• Where: Italy, Venice
  Scotland, Fife, Dunfermline, Pitfirrane
  Southern Netherlands
  
• Event:
• Description: Glass of facon de Venise said to have been James VI's stirrup-cup as he set out from Dunfermline for London and the English crown in 1603, subsequently owned by the Halketts of Pitfirrane
  
• References:
  • Marshall, R. K. (ed). Dynasty: The Royal House of Stewart. Edinburgh: NGS & NMS, 1990 
• Translations:
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