Aeric
Pixie's choice of design for the cups is unusual. Other than the Ace and the Queen's ornate ciborium, all of them have a strange uniform shape of which Waite must surely have been critical to accept as universal.
Rather than being the Ace's traditional goblet with slender stem, the square base is very thick and equal to or slightly taller than the bowl, depending on the card (compare the 3 to the 8). The cup is held by the highest point of the base below the bead pattern, and has no stem.
Is this shape based on an actual ritual chalice described by Waite used by the GD? I've looked at a few examples of cups from the Arts & Crafts movement and none of them have its likeness.
Rather than being the Ace's traditional goblet with slender stem, the square base is very thick and equal to or slightly taller than the bowl, depending on the card (compare the 3 to the 8). The cup is held by the highest point of the base below the bead pattern, and has no stem.
Is this shape based on an actual ritual chalice described by Waite used by the GD? I've looked at a few examples of cups from the Arts & Crafts movement and none of them have its likeness.