Communion Set thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Communion Set

1900-1950 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This unusual object is an individual communion set for bread and wine which was used to take communion in the Church of Scotland. The invention of individual communion cups has been attributed to the Rev. Jowett, Congregational Minister of Carrs Lane Chapel, Birmingham from 1895-1909. Pressure from his enormous congregation of over two thousand people combined with concerns about public health prompted the innovation. Individual cups became fashionable, particularly in nonconformist communities, and are still used today.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Communion Set
  • Communion Set ( Glass Cup )
Materials and techniques
Electroplated nickel silver and glass
Brief description
Communion set, electroplated nickel silver and glass, British, 1900-1950
Physical description
Communion set for individual use, electroplated nickel silver holder, attached domed lid, `L' shaped handle, and fastening clip with small cone shaped clear glass cup.
Dimensions
  • M.11 1 2007 length: 8.5cm (Note: Metal Holder)
  • M.11 1 2007 depth: 5.5cm (Note: Metal Holder)
  • M.11 1 2007 width: 4.5cm (Note: Metal Holder)
  • M.11 2 2007 height: 4cm (Note: Glass Cup)
  • M.11 2 2007 diameter: 3.2cm (Note: Glass Cup)
  • M.11 2 2007 width: 4.5cm (Note: Glass Cup)
Credit line
Given by the Church of Scotland
Object history
These type of individual communion cups are still in use in Dunfermline Abbey (2006). A cupboard of the holders came from Kirk O'Field church of the Church of Scotland. See file 2006/570.
Historical context
The individual communion sets were used as follows: "The communion table having on it bread plates and common cups, the minister would communicate himself (bread) then serve the session clerk, who would then serve the elders. The congregation at an agreed time each opened the top of their device, wherein was a cube of bread and they communicated simultaneously. The minister then took the wine, repeating the process and again, the congregation each lifted their individual containers of wine and communicated again together."

Text from Kirkpatrick Dobie, 2006.
Summary
This unusual object is an individual communion set for bread and wine which was used to take communion in the Church of Scotland. The invention of individual communion cups has been attributed to the Rev. Jowett, Congregational Minister of Carrs Lane Chapel, Birmingham from 1895-1909. Pressure from his enormous congregation of over two thousand people combined with concerns about public health prompted the innovation. Individual cups became fashionable, particularly in nonconformist communities, and are still used today.
Collection
Accession number
M.11:1 to 2-2007

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Record createdAugust 30, 2007
Record URL
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