Silver, London, hallmarks for 1629–30; maker’s mark ‘DW’ between two stars.

1) Lent by the Vicar and Churchwardens of the Church of Holy Trinity with All Saints, London
2) On loan from Holy Trinity Church, Kensington, London

'The Lord's Supper'
A general improvement in the furnishing of English churches took place after the accession of James I in 1603. By the 1620s, most parishes possessed not only a communion cup and paten but also an alms dish and flagon. The advent of alms dishes reflected the new emphasis on collecting gifts of money (alms) for the poor instead of for the church. Many more flagons were made in response to ecclesiastical regulations of 1603 that ordered the provision of suitable vessels to contain wine for the communion cup.

Gifts by parishioners revived after decades of comparative neglect. Wealthy local patrons commissioned costly silver vessels to beautify the altar for the 'Lord's Supper', as the communion service was often termed. These were larger and more practical than earlier Protestant vessels and often came as matching sets. Benefactors also donated domestic flagons, dishes and cups for use in the church.

This cup was used in Protestant worship to serve the consecrated wine during Holy Communion.

After the accession of James I in 1603, there was a general improvement in the furnishing of English churches. By the 1620s, most parishes possessed not only a communion cup and paten (to serve the bread) but also an alms dish and flagon. Many of these were given by wealthy local patrons, to beautify the altar for the ‘Lord’s Supper’, as the communion service was often termed.

This large, straight-sided vessel is typical of communion cups from the reign of Charles I. In design it is a refinement of the Elizabethan bucket-bowled cups, but it would have been more practical than its smaller predecessors. It was the gift of a female parishioner, Mary Birkhead.

LOAN:HOLY TRINITY.3