----- Feeding Cups -----
Feeding cups (a.k.a. "sick feeders" and "invalid feeders") came in all shapes and sizes and were intended mostly for adults. They however also can be found in smaller sizes though rarer indicating children in mind.
From a collector's standpoint one of the most coveted shapes, in my opinion, are the ones with the applied cover extending over the majority of the top and with a rounded opening near the back (see photo at left). I personally also like these because the larger top allows for more room for transfer designs.
Feeding cups were also made in silver and pewter (see photo below).
Feeding cups came in varying degrees of detail regarding spout placement and attachment (see photo at left regarding types of spout openings inside the cup), spout size (from extra large to extremely small - see example photos below) and handle placement (left, right, behind and not at all).
Feeding cups also came with dramatically different sized and shaped spouts (see photo at left).
One interesting topic that I have always wondered about regarding the varying types of spout sizes were each's intended contents.
Examples of elaborately shaped 18th Century cream colored feeding cups:
Examples of 18th Century Lowestoft feeding cups:
Examples of 18th Century Isleworth feeding cups:
The "Kirby" Feeding Cup -
I highlight the "Kirby" because of its distinctive two piece design even though I think it might have been produced at the turn of the 20th Century. While admittedly never reading its instructions I have always been amazed at all the graduating measurements on them, whether or not when carried with contents in the small boat was it also intended to be carried inside the larger cup at the same time and what the true intent was for each of the vessels (i.e., medicine, pap, food, etc.). I also always liked it because the smaller vessel by itself looked so much like a pap boat.
Also pictured below is a more ornate version in celebration of Queen Victoria that I once owned - missing the smaller boat inside.
Examples of other shaped, patterned and sized feeding cups:
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