Historical information

These unusual china cups with elongated spouts were created in the days before drinking straws were common. Liquids and broth were fed through the spout to adults who were sick and could not take solid food, or to infants. The alternate name for these cups is “pap feeder.” Recipes for pap usually called for bread, flour and water. A more nourishing mixture “panada” was a pap base with added butter and milk, or cooked in broth as a milk substitute. Variations on the ingredients included Lisbon sugar, beer, wine, raw meat juices. These cups were apparently offered as accessory pieces to many regular china patterns.

Physical description

A white porcelain invalid or baby feeding cup decorated with a blue floral ( onion ) pattern. The cup has a spout , strainer, side handle and ‘spill-proof’ guard c19thC

Inscriptions & markings

Base : m 8.