The legend of the Nurnberg Bridal Cup is centuries old. It is said to have started in Nurnberg, Germany, where a wealthy nobleman lived with his daughter, the Mistress Kunigunde. She fell in love with a young goldsmith who was an ambitious sort. The wealthy nobleman didn't approve of the relationship and he and his daughter were at odds, for her heart was set on the goldsmith and no other for her husband. As a result, one by one she refused many rich suitors who asked for her hand in marriage.
The daughter's behavior enraged her father and so he had the
young goldsmith thrown into the darkest dungeon. His daughter cried and cried,
but he would not be swayed by her tears. To the nobleman's dismay, imprisoning
the young goldsmith in the dark dungeon did not stay her love for the young
man. Her broken heart started to show in her pale pallor which grew worse day
by day.
Finally, at his wits end, the nobleman reluctantly came up
with a proposal. He said, "If your goldsmith can make a chalice from which
two people can drink at the same time without spilling a single drop, I will
free him and you shall become his bride."
 |
| Handcrafted bridal cups can still be purchased today. |
Of course when he thought up the challenge, he thought it an
impossible task, but the young goldsmith was motivated by love. He mustered all
his skill and crafted a masterpiece. He sculpted a young maiden with a smile as
beautiful as that of Mistress Kunigunde. The skirt worn by this damsel was
hollow and served as one cup. The second was a bucket which the girl carried
over head with extended arms. It was crafted to swivel and so two people could
drink from the cup without spilling a drop.
The goldsmith met the challenge. He and the nobleman's daughter
were joined in marriage and were said to drink from the romantic bridal cup.
Today the bridal cup remains a prized wedding tradition with the cup a symbol
of good luck, love and faithfulness.
Drinking from a German wedding cup
Drinking from a German wedding cup takes some practice but makes a great photo opt. If you try it, but are unsure you want to navigate drinking from a German bridal cup, but like the idea of adding a special cup to your wedding or reception, the Scottish quaich is easier to drink from and offers another rich history that can make your day a little more special.
***
Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.