The Stirrup Cup

This elegant work by Herring illustrates a gentleman officer holding a stirrup cup, which was presented to departing guests to drink from and to wish them a safe journey onwards. The name derives from the fact that the recipient was often on horseback with his feet in the stirrups of his saddle. The cup has been provided by the two ladies of the house, most probably the gentleman's wife and daughter. Herring has set the scene in 17th Century England during the Civil War. The soldier is dressed in the armour of King Charles I's Cavalier army, and the gentleman wears highly-embellished dress. Herring has used the picture to display his bravura handling of the paint: the gleam on the engraved silver chalice, the lace, ribbons and embroidery, the sheen on the horses’ coats, are all depicted with exemplary skill.