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

Of standard plate form, the alms dish has a convex centre and a double line chased round the rim. The rim is engraved with scrolls and flower sprays and 'To the Chapel of the Asylum 1764'.

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.

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.

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.

M.16C-1986