Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sacred Silver & Stained Glass, Room 83, The Whiteley Galleries

Beaker

1691-1692 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Beakers were a common form of nonconformist vessel. The Independent church in Great Yarmouth had thirteen by 1732. Communion Wine was served to the congregation in the beakers and bread distributed using the communion plates. This beaker is on loan from the United Reformed church which was formed by the amalgamation of the Congregationalist and English Presbyterian churches in 1972.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, with engraving
Brief description
Communion beaker, silver, London hallmarks for 1691-2
Physical description
Straight sided beaker, silver with engraved band of decoration below the rim
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.4cm
  • Of top rim diameter: 10.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • London hallmarks for 1691-2
  • Mark 'GM' between three mullets below the beaker's top rim.
  • Engraved with the date, 1691
Gallery label
Communion Beaker In Nonconformist worship, beakers were often used in place of a cup to serve the consecrated communion wine. The Independent church in Great Yarmouth, for example, had 13 beakers by 1732. London, England, 1691-2;maker's mark 'GM' between three mullets Silver Lent by Crossway United Reformed Church, Southwark(22/11/2005)
Credit line
Lent by Crossway United Reformed Church
Object history
Beakers were a common form of nonconformist vessel. The Independent church in Great Yarmouth had thirteen by 1732. Communion Wine was served to the congregation in the beakers and bread distributed using the communion plates. The beaker is lent by the United Reformed Church which was formed by the amalgamation of the Congregationalist and English Presbyterian churches in 1972.
Historical context
Nonconformity
In England, Christians who chose not to conform to the doctrine, organisation or ceremony of the established church became known as Nonconformists or dissenters. To avoid persecution, many went to the new colonies in North America.

In formal terms, Nonconformity began with the 1662 Act of Uniformity, which required priests to use the Book of Common Prayer and declare allegiance to Anglican bishops. Radical clergy and congregations refused to comply. Church leaders faced imprisonment, transportation or death.

By 1700, there was greater tolerance so Nonconformism became more widespread. Its organisation differed from the Anglican church. Instead of bishops, Congregationalists were governed democratically by their members, whereas Presbyterians had elected elders. Methodism, which emerged in the 1730s, established authority in a conference of church members. Although Methodists accepted many Anglican teachings, some groups such as Baptists, Presbyterians and Independents pursued a very personal approach to religion, emphasising freedom of conscience.

Practising Nonconformity
In many Nonconformist churches, preaching the word of God took precedence over formal worship. Churches were centred around charismatic preachers like John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, or the Baptist leader Charles Spurgeon. However, dissenters did celebrate communion regularly. Some, like Congregationalists, took communion seated around a table. Others stood to receive it, or remained seated while church officials (deacons) distributed the bread and wine.

Nonconformist communion plate was simple in design and often made from inexpensive materials, such as pewter, glass and ceramics. The earliest pieces date from the 1640s, and cups with two handles were a standard design.
Summary
Beakers were a common form of nonconformist vessel. The Independent church in Great Yarmouth had thirteen by 1732. Communion Wine was served to the congregation in the beakers and bread distributed using the communion plates. This beaker is on loan from the United Reformed church which was formed by the amalgamation of the Congregationalist and English Presbyterian churches in 1972.
Bibliographic reference
Eatwell, Ann and Clare Barry. 'Nonconformist silver in England'. Silver Studies. The Journal of the Silver Society, 21 (2006), pp. 59-72
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:CROSSWAY.1

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Record createdOctober 19, 2004
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