Historical information

The Loving Cup was presented to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons at the inaugural session of the General Scientific Meeting in Melbourne, on 15 May 1977, to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the College. It was presented by Sir Rodney Smith PRCS and Lady Smith, and was a gift from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The coat-of arms of the Colleges are engraved around the outside.

The Cup was made by Roy Flewin, a master craftsman of London. It is sterling silver, hallmarked for the year of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee (1977), and stands 26cm high. It is fitted with two handles and a lid’ and has a gilt interior. The engraving was carried out by Stanley Reece.

Whether between friends or lovers, drinking from a Loving Cup is an act of ultimate trust, and is always performed with due ceremony:
“A” takes the Cup, filled with wine, and turns to “B”.
“A” bows to “B”, and “B” bows/curtsies to “A”.
“B” removes the lid of the Cup.
“A” drinks from the Cup, and wipes the place he drank from with a cloth tied to one of the handles.
“B” replaces the lid, and takes the Cup. If only two people are involved, then they simply reverse rôles. If there are more than two, then the ceremony continues in a similar fashion.

The Cup is a token of the friendship and cordiality that exists among the Royal Colleges. In presenting it to E.S.R. (Bill) Hughes, then President of the RACS, Sir Rodney described it as ‘a symbol of our common heritage, and the privileges and responsibilities we share’

Significance

The Loving Cup was presented to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons at the inaugural session of the General Scientific Meeting in Melbourne, on 15 May 1977, to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the College

Physical description

STERLING SILVER 2-HANDLED LOVING CUP WITH LIFT TOP, FINE BUD FILIAL, GILDED INTERIOR AND SCROLLED HANDLES, ON RIBBED PLATFORM BASE, WITH CREST, ETC. (SEE TOORAC AUCTION LIST FOR ALL DETAILS).

Inscriptions & markings

HALLMARKS AND COATS OF ARMS. UNDER BASE: "ENGRAVED BY STANLEY REECE) PRESENTATION CARD: "LOVING CUP PRESENTED AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY GENERAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING, RACS, 15 MAY 1977 BY