Child/Invalid Pap Cup

Child’s invalid feeder/pap boat

Invalid cups or Pap boats are a type of invalid feeder generally used to feed the invalid or child,The feeders could be bought from a chemist’s shop. Patients drank beef tea ,clear soup or a mixture of diluted milk and flour with sugar called pap. Invalid foods tended to be runny and not very tasty.

Invalid feeders were common in Victorian times and people carried on using them into the 20th century. This invalid feeding cup dates from the first half of the 20th century. The image on the cup and the location of the handle suggests it was a child’s feeder. There are examples of such cups with handles to the side of the cup which could be used by either a nurse or an older patient who was not so ill.

This feeder looks like a milk jug with a round bowl, curved spout and handle. The half-cover over the top stopped the liquid from overflowing. A long spout poured the liquid straight into the patient's mouth so that none was wasted or spilt on the bedclothes.
The cup is unusual in that it has a full transfer print of a child on the cover of the cup a lot of the cups were just functional with no pattern at all or have a floral or line patterns. The item is in used condition and because of it’s purpose there is expected ware to the gold trim on the handle the main opening and the spout. There is a slight nibble on the spout (please see photos) There are no cracks or crazing and the item is in overall good condition and a talking point. It has been superseded by the plastic lidded cups used for children and in hospitals.
Length 14cm including 2cm handle
Height 4.5 cm
Width 6.5 cm at it’s widest