Mether

A mether (/ˈmɛðər/; Irish: meadar) is a communal or 'Friendship' drinking vessel from the Celtic tradition, mainly in Ireland and originally solely for mead with old examples being made of wood[1] although they might have silver ornamentation added at a later date.

[3] The best known ancient Mether in Scotland is the Dunvegan Cup, which is a 10th-century wooden example provided with silver ornamentation in the 15th century.

[4] King Tuathal in the 2nd Century A.D. had seen a Roman drinking vessels with handles and decided to introduce this style to Ireland.

[3] The mether is mentioned in The Fate of the Children of Lir (14th century), when Fionnuala laments "There is our food and our wine, they are The white sand and bitter brine; — [Yet] often drank we hazel mead.

[3] Methers can be found in a number of private collections and museums, sometimes decorated and once hereditary treasures of famous Celtic families.