Silver, London hallmarks for 1763-4, mark of Abraham Portal

The cup has a stepped two part foot with an applied base plate. The cast baluster stem between two spools supports the bell-shaped bowl. The slightly everted rim is chased with a double line. The cup is engraved with the crest and coat of arms of Sir Thomas Hankey. A rococo cartouche incorporates scrolls, flower sprays and two putti, holding a chalice and paten. The bowl of the cup is inscribed ' The gift of Sir Thomas Hankey Knight to the Chapel of the Asylum 1764'

Presented to the Asylum for Female Orphans by Sir Thomas Hankey, banker and philanthopist

Historical significance: The Asylum for Female Orphans was established by Sir John Fielding in 1758 at Vauxhall. The girls were taught to read the Bible and later apprenticed or engaged as domestic servants. The chapel plate was commissioned by a banker, Sir Thomas Hankey.

Gifts to Charity
Public benefactions were seen as evidence of the donor’s faith. In 18th-century London, leading citizens founded institutions to assist the poor, sick and isolated. Prevention was better than a cure, and in 1758 the Asylum for Female Orphans was founded to prevent prostitution. In the same year the Magdalen Hospital was established to reform repentant prostitutes.

Hospital governors recognised the importance of religion in educating and nurturing those for whom they cared. Regular communion was considered part of the healing process. In poorhouses parish officers saw that communion was celebrated and prayer books distributed.

This cup formed part of a communion set given to the Chapel of the Asylum for Female Orphans at Vauxhall in 1764. The Asylum was established by Sir John Fielding in 1758 in order to prevent prostitution. The girls were taught to read the Bible and later apprenticed or engaged as servants.

M.16A-1986