Unknown designer. 
1720. 
Silver; forging, engraving. Height, 14.5 cm; Diameter of the bottom, 8 cm; Diameter of the top, 10.5 cm. 
National Museum of History of Ukraine.

This forged silver wine measuring cup has a shape that narrows toward the bottom. Just below the rim is the inscription "ЦРЬ ПЕТРЬ АЛЕКСЕВИЧЬ ВИВАТ ВИВАТ ВИВАТ"  («TSAR PETER ALEKSEEVICH VIVAT VIVAT VIVAT»). 

The main subjects, Samson and a lion, are located in a circle on the smooth outside, framed by two connected palm branches entwined with ribbons. 

On the opposite side is the engraved coat of arms of the Russian tsar: a two-headed eagle with scepter and orb in his talons below the crown of the grand duke and framed by two palm branches connected to each other. 

An oval shield with the figure of Saint George slaying the dragon is depicted on the eagle's chest. The abbreviation of the title of the tsar, Peter Alekseevich, is engraved around it: "БМ ПД ВГЦИВК ПА ВВМБРС"  («God willing the Great Ruler and the Grand Duke of the Christian Orthodox Nation Peter Alekseevich the monarch to all the Great, Little and White Russias»). Between the branches on the bottom are two cupids taming lions. Above the cupids there is an inscription: "СОЧИНЯЮ СЕГО АГЦЕМЬ // КУПИДА ОБУЗДАЕТЬ ЛВА". 

On the bottom of the exterior of the measuring cup are two stamps: 

1. The city stamp of Moscow: in a circle of beads is a two-headed eagle with raised wings wearing a crown. On the left wing the letter «K» of the Slavic alphabet is engraved; it signifies the date of making - 1720. 

2. The letters «AИ» are possibly the stamp of the master of this artifact (the initials "АИ" are not seen in any trustworthy reference publications). 

The artifact is from the collection of the Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian Historical Museum (1924-1934). During the 17th and 18th centuries, there was a tradition in Russia to reward prominent individuals for their heroic deeds on behalf of the Motherland with different types of silver dishes. Aside from their direct use for drinking and eating and for mantel decorations, silver dippers, wine bowls, goblets and measuring cups were widely used as rewards.

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