ROMANO-BRITISH SETTLEMENT AT CHIGWELL. II
RING-CUPS.
One of the more interesting articles in the collection is the ring-
cup found in October, 1892. It originally consisted of two larger
cups, and one smaller set upon a hollow ring of earthenware.
No. 39.—Vessel of red ware 41/8 inches high.
One cup has gone, but indications show that it was of the larger
size, like its fellow on the other side of the small cup.
There is a hole in the ring opposite the small cup, which may
have had a cup on it, but probably not—the hole possibly being a
means of emptying the vessel when its plug was removed. The
small cup is not perforated into the ring, but the two others were
so. Examples of ring-cups of this period are in the Guildhall
Museum, London, and a remarkable one is in the Colchester
Museum, having arms springing from the ring, the hands
supporting the cups. An example, with two cups only, is in Lord
Braybrook's collection at Audley End. No. 15 may have formed
part of such a ring of cups, but of coarse grey ware.
What the purpose of ring-cups may have been is, I think,
very obscure, but it is not difficult to show the very high antiquity
of their use.