Standing Paten
1683-1684 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A chalice and paten were used during Holy Communion to serve the consecrated wine and bread. In the Cromwellian period Protestant services were usually conducted with little ritual and only a few pieces of simple silverware. It was not until the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 that churches could again use a Gothic chalice and celebrate the Eucharist with an elaborately chased and decorated communion set.
This piece was presented to the fashionable London church of St James, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and consecrated in 1683. Its elaborate decoration, with embossed cherubs and fruit swags, complements the richness of Wren’s interior. Although such decoration was already in use in the 1670s it was encouraged by the arrival of Huguenot silversmiths in London in the early 1680s.
This piece was presented to the fashionable London church of St James, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and consecrated in 1683. Its elaborate decoration, with embossed cherubs and fruit swags, complements the richness of Wren’s interior. Although such decoration was already in use in the 1670s it was encouraged by the arrival of Huguenot silversmiths in London in the early 1680s.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver-gilt, raised |
| Brief description | Silver-gilt, London hallmarks for 1683-4, mark of Ralph Leake |
| Physical description | A silver-gilt paten on circular foot with the date mark for 1683-4; the maker's mark RLwith a fleur de lys below in a scalloped shield. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Gallery label | Chalice and Paten
A chalice and paten were used during Holy Communion to serve the consecrated wine and bread. In the Cromwellian period Protestant services were usually conducted with little ritual and only a few pieces of simple silverware. It was not until the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 that churches could again use a Gothic chalice and celebrate the Eucharist with an elaborately chased and decorated communion set.
These pieces were presented to the fashionable London church of St James, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and consecrated in 1683. Their elaborate decoration, with embossed cherubs and fruit swags, complements the richness of Wren’s interior. Although such decoration was already in use in the 1670s it was encouraged by the arrival of Huguenot silversmiths in London in the early 1680s.
London, England, 1683–4; by Ralph Leake
(active 1664–1714)
Silver gilt
Lent by the Vicar and Churchwardens of St James,
Piccadilly(22/11/2005) |
| Credit line | Lent by the Rector and Churchwardens of St James's, Piccadilly, London |
| Historical context | The Anglican Church In 1633 William Laud became Archbishop of Canterbury. Like his contemporary Bishop Lancelot Andrewes, he regarded the Anglican church as a purified form of traditional Catholicism. Together they set out to restore the ceremonial that had been abolished with the Reformation of the previous century, including the high altar and the use of candles and incense. Laud’s intentions, however, were seen by Parliament as an attempt to overthrow the Protestant religion and in 1645 he was beheaded. It was not until the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 that churches could again use a Gothic chalice and celebrate the Eucharist with an elaborately chased and decorated communion set. |
| Summary | A chalice and paten were used during Holy Communion to serve the consecrated wine and bread. In the Cromwellian period Protestant services were usually conducted with little ritual and only a few pieces of simple silverware. It was not until the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 that churches could again use a Gothic chalice and celebrate the Eucharist with an elaborately chased and decorated communion set. This piece was presented to the fashionable London church of St James, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and consecrated in 1683. Its elaborate decoration, with embossed cherubs and fruit swags, complements the richness of Wren’s interior. Although such decoration was already in use in the 1670s it was encouraged by the arrival of Huguenot silversmiths in London in the early 1680s. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | LOAN:PICCADILLY.1A |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | November 15, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
