This is an antique Japanese military sake cup, made with pure silver and decorated with the naval insignia on the front. The cup is what the Japanese call "horseback cup" with a short stem, for ease of drinking on a horse, rather than the flat kind. The base of the cup has the words "Showa 3rd year (1928) Naval Combat Skills Test Award". The name of the maker Hattori is also in the base. These were official navy issued cups rewarded to sailors who excelled in annual tests of various types of skills on ships. The form of these changed over time - first as the flat silver cup, then these types, then they moved to various kinds of plaques and awards as they found that sailors were selling the silver ones for money instead of keeping the award.

The cup weighs about 75g. At today's silver prices the silver alone is worth over $50.

Condition: This cup is quite well used by its original owner, lots of small use marks/wear

Size: 4" tall x 2" across