Silver baby cups

Sterling silver baby cups from different brands: Aubry Cadoret, Ercuis, Noël Collet, etc.
The silver cup is one of the traditional baptism gifts that can not be forgotten! This cup-shaped metal container has a long history and is anchored in the rites of baptism. But what types of baby cup can be bought, and how to choose this precious object?
To begin with, a bit of history: since the early antiquity, human beings make drinking vessels, whether in horn, terracotta or metal (precious or not). They were found in the remains of the first civilizations, especially the Mesopotamians and the Egyptians! The metal cup then evolves gradually and becomes more refined. In the 17th and 18th century, this object finally takes on the name of timbale. The silver tumbler is therefore an ancient object, and has long been available for baptisms. Originally reserved for the rich families, it is a gift that has finally become democratic, while keeping a classic charm. Moreover, the baby cup has the advantage of not breaking like any glass, and therefore lasting in time: it will be a memory of the baptism for the child, and this for many years!

It is therefore a precious gift, which the very close family or the godfather and godmother will buy. Moreover, the silver cup does not have a particular religious meaning, so it can be offered for other occasions than baptism: it will also be an excellent birth or birthday gift. And it must be known that there are often other articles of goldsmithing in the collection of a baby cup. She will be able to have an egg cup, a round towel and matching small cutlery. So you can consult with the family of the baby to offer the complete set to several. A small idea: offer the baby cup alone at the birth or baptism of the baby, then give him a box with the egg cup, the towel ring and the matching spoon on a birthday, and finally offer him the rest of the Covered for his communion! In addition, these items will be sold in attractive boxes lined with fabric.
Today, the baby cup can be made of solid silver, silver metal, stainless steel or, more rarely, tin. The solid silver timbale consists of an alloy of silver: this metal alone is indeed too soft, and is therefore generally mixed with copper. The most common silver is "silver 925" (ie 925 / 1000th, or 92.5% silver), but we can also find a silver cup 800, These are rare. To be sure to recognize solid silver, the most reliable sign is the presence of two punches: the punch of guarantee in the shape of head of Minerva and the punch of the goldsmith master, usually in a diamond. Silver metal is a good alternative to the solid silver timbale because it is less expensive. This lower cost can be explained by the fact that it is metal, for example copper or brass, that has been covered with a layer of silver. To cover the silver metal, two techniques are possible. Either the metal drum is covered with thin silver foil, then rubbed with a tool to allow the leaves to adhere, or it is covered with silver by electrolysis. In order to be sure not to confuse a solid silver baby cup with a silver-plated baby cup , we must also rely on the punches: the silvered metal will have a square punch with the initials of the goldsmith and his symbol, as well as a Digit, I or II (the I designating a greater thickness of silver than II).

But after the metal, comes the essential question of style! And there, countless possibilities are available to you: from the classic models to the fantasy models, to the modern ones, there is something for all tastes! As for the classic models, we find the silver cup with pearl patterns (a row of small silver balls in relief, resembling pearls) is found on the baby cup or it is possible to find a baby mug with pattern "Ribbons" (there is then a sequence of patterns in a "ribbon", for example geometrical patterns) or with a shell motif (a shell of embossed shell decorates the baby cup). Fancy patterns often have small drawings. One could, for example, buy a silver cup with a bear, "the little prince", Hello Kitty ... Finally, modern models are often more purified. They can have a shiny or polished appearance, have a straight shape with straight edges or be shaped like a tulip ... They can also have small original details, fine horizontal lines for example, such as the model "Biarritz" from Aubry Cadoret. But are there more masculine or feminine models? Yes and no! Some models are recognized as more feminine, like the silver bezel with pearl patterns, and others as more masculine, like the godron pattern (small vertical lines in a horizontal frieze). Similarly for the designs of the fantasy models, some are more masculine and some more feminine (Hello Kitty for example). But in the end it's a matter of taste and most models will suit both boys and girls.

But how can we speak of a baby cup in silver without evoking the inevitable engraving that goes with it? Indeed, there is most of the time possibility to personalize this precious gift. The child's first name is usually placed on the silver cup, and some people also add the date of birth or a personal message. In terms of typography there are several possibilities: one can make an engraving in straight letters or in English letters (letters in italics with a manuscript aspect, often more appreciated for the silver cups of little girls), one can put letters intertwined ...
Finally, there remains one question, and not the least: that of the price! To find a cheaper baby mug there are several possibilities. Firstly, a baby cup can be chosen from a less expensive material. Thus, for the same model, a silver-plated cup can be worth four times less expensive than a solid silver cup, because it contains much less silver. For example, the "Pearls" model of the Ercuis brand goes from 650 € to 145 €, which is more than four times cheaper! But the cheapest metal still remains stainless steel, with an average price of around 20 € (for example the stainless steel baby cup of the Ecococoon brand costs 18 €). Similarly, one can choose to take a smaller and less heavy baby mug, especially if it is silver or silver metal. It should be noted that the dimensions are variable: the height is between 6 cm and 9 cm (it is generally 7 cm or 7.5 cm) and the diameter is on average 6 cm to 7.5 cm. The weight is between 66 g and 110 g. So you can be sure to find a baby cup whatever your budget!