Loving cups were communal drinking vessels which were used at large gatherings. This example made from such a dense, hard wood is very heavy and it would have needed strong arms to pass it from person to person. The pattern on this vessel is known as rose engine turning, because of its resemblance to rose petals. Rose engine turning represented the height of technology, requiring a special lathe and equipment. Very few turners were capable of producing work like this in the 17th century.