TWO GERMAN SILVER TUMBLER CUPS, ONE A 'TRINKSPIELE', CHRISTIAN HORNUNG II AND JOHANN WAGNER, AUGSBURG, CIRCA 1680

Otto F. Ernst, Gold-und Silberschmiedearbeiten 15 -19. Jahrhundert, Städtischen Museum, Wiesbaden, 1969, pg. 15, no's. 63 and 66.

In the Wiesbaden museum exhibition catalogue it was considered that the fitted cylinder on the inside of the Christian Hornung example was for keeping rings at night. This is possible, but the principal purpose of this rare tumbler cup is as a drinking game. The tumbler looks ordinary but has a purpose built drainage hole in the base hidden when held normally. As wine is poured in, the liquid remains in the cup until it reaches a certain height. If the drinker is a bit greedy and insists on filling it up too high the pressure forces the liquid up the cylinder where there is an evacuation tube which allows the liquid to drain from the hole in the base soaking the drinker with wine. Once started gravity drains all the liquid and the whole process can start again to the great amusement of 17th century drinkers. There is also a gentle moral element typical of 17th century drinking vessels. Moderation!