Communion Standing Paten
1763-1764 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The paten formed part of a communion set commissioned by Sir Thomas Hankey for the Chapel of the Asylum for Female Orphans in Vauxhall in 1764. It was used to serve the bread or wafers which represent the body of Christ in the Eucharist or Holy Communion which recalls the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver |
| Brief description | Silver, London hallmarks for 1763-4, mark of Abraham Portal |
| Physical description | The standing paten has a trumpet foot and applied base plate. It is engraved with scrolls, flower sprays and the inscription,' To the Chapel of the Asylum 1764'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | Asylum Chapel Plate
The alms dish is part of a communion set presented by the banker and philanthropist Sir Thomas Hankey to the Asylum for Female Orphans at Vauxhall, London. Its beautifully engraved cartouches are decorated with children holding a communion cup and paten.
The asylum had been established in 1758 by Sir John Fielding with the aim of preventing prostitution. The girls were taught to read the Bible and later apprenticed or engaged as domestic servants.
London, England, 1763–4; by Abraham Portal
(1726–1809). Silver
Museum nos. M.16 to C-1986(09/12/2004) |
| Object history | Presented to the Asylum for Female Orphans by Sir Thomas Hankey, banker and philanthropist. 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. |
| Historical context | 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. |
| Summary | The paten formed part of a communion set commissioned by Sir Thomas Hankey for the Chapel of the Asylum for Female Orphans in Vauxhall in 1764. It was used to serve the bread or wafers which represent the body of Christ in the Eucharist or Holy Communion which recalls the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. |
| Bibliographic reference | Burlington Magazine, May 1989, pp.385-92, fig. XI |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.16B-1986 |
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| Record created | September 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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