Bekervorm

Bekervorm is a term used in Dutch to describe a vessel form whose main body is cup-shaped. In a classification context, bekervorm refers to the overall silhouette of a ceramic or glass object rather than to a specific cultural origin, site, or decorative program. The defining characteristic is a hollow, rounded body that resembles a cup, often with a distinct rim and a base or foot; the form may vary from short, squat cups to taller, more slender profiles. In many typologies, bekervorm vessels can have additional features such as a narrow neck, flaring rim, or a simple stand, but their identifying feature remains the cup-like profile.

Bekervorm is widely used across disciplines such as archaeology, anthropology, and museology to categorize drinking vessels and ceremonial objects. The category encompasses a broad range of materials and periods, including ceramic and glass vessels produced for everyday use as well as for ritual or status-related contexts. As a descriptive form, bekervorm helps researchers compare vessel shapes across cultures and time, focusing on function and ergonomics rather than decoration or technique alone.

In practice, curators and scholars use bekervorm alongside other shape-based categories like bowls, goblets, and jugs to structure collections and typologies. Understanding bekervorm contributes to interpretations of dining practices, social rituals, and trade networks inferred from vessel production and distribution.