Silver, The Hague, 1685, mark of Pieter van der Hegge

Consecration Plate. A plain rimmed dish, the central well engraved with a coat of arms surrounded by a circular border

Part of a set of church plate given to the English Reformed Church in The Hague between 1673 and 1711 by different members of the congregation and made by four different local goldsmiths. After the church closed in 1822, the plate was used by the chaplain of the British Embassy in the Hague. It was transferred to the V&A in 1929.

Historical significance: A remarkable group of plate from the English Reformed Church in The Hague which was given to that church by individual members of the congregation.

Gifts to the Church
Gifts were the most important source of English church plate in the 17th century. The donor was usually a prominent member of the community, which in country parishes often meant the local landowner. But gifts came from other sources too. Many were given by women, showing their active involvement with the church. Churchwardens also took pride in commissioning new silver and often contributed to the cost. Occasionally, gifts like Lord Hertford’s chalice and flagon were made to win support for a political cause.

Not all of these gifts were new. Old-fashioned domestic plate, often richly decorated with secular ornament, was welcomed and used for the service of communion or the collection of alms.

Church Plate from The Hague
This impressively austere service was given to the English Reformed Church in The Hague between 1673 and 1711 by different members of the congregation. It was made by four different local goldsmiths. The provision of stands for the vessels is most unusual. The church closed in 1822, and the plate was later used in the chapel of the British Embassy in The Hague.

One of a set of three, these large dishes carried the communion bread to the altar for consecration. This one was given by Jacob Havius, an Elder of the Church.

One of a set of three, this large dish carried the communion bread to the altar for consecration. It was part of an impressively austere service given to the English Reformed Church in The Hague between 1673 and 1711 by different members of the congregation. The donors were Jan van der Hayden, a lawyer from Gouda, and Jacob Havius, both elders of the church. One of the dishes bears van der Hayden’s coat of arms.

M.6-1995