The Carrington Cup thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

The Carrington Cup

Cup
1987 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Sir Roy Strong commissioned this cup to mark the tenure of Lord Carrington as first Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the V&A. Carrington served as Chairman from 1983 to 1988.

The subject of this cup, the Gryphon, was selected for its mythological significance, that of Guardian of treasure. It thus reflected the position of the Chairman of the Museum’s Trustees.

Kevin Coates studied in London at the Central School of Art and at the Royal College of Art, graduating with an MA in 1976. His commissions include work for the Goldsmiths’ Company, The British Library, De Beers and The Silver Trust. He is also a noted musician and musicologist.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Cups
  • Box for Carrington Cup
TitleThe Carrington Cup (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Silver, parcel-gilt, cast and electroformed, partly oxidised and patinated
Brief description
Silver, parcel-gilt, partly oxidised and patinated, Kevin Coates, London, 1987, Commissioned by Sir Roy Strong to mark the tenure of Lord Carrington as first Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Victoria & Albert Museum, 1983-88.
Physical description
In the form of a cup in which the bowl is supported by a seated griffin. The griffin is selected both for its role in mythology as Guardian of Treasure and for its use in LOrd Carrington's arms. The silvergilt bowl represents the suns whose rays, making reference to Lord Carrington's career in diplomacy, penetrate the clouds ranged down the spiralling, oxidised black stem.
Dimensions
  • Height: 14cm
  • Of bowl diameter: 8.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Inscribed on one collar TENAX IN FIDE, the other, RS ME FIERI FECIT (Roy Strong had me made). Signed and dated 87/COATES (London 1987)
  • No hallmarks
Object history
Commissioned by Sir Roy Strong to mark the tenure of Lord Carrington as first Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Victoria & Albert Museum, 1983-88.

The subject of this cup, the Gryphon, was selected for its mythological significance, that of Guardian of treasure, similar to the position of the Chairman of the Museum's Trustees. Kevin Coates studied at the Central School of Art and received his MA from the Royal College in 1976. His commissions include works for the Goldsmiths' Company, The British Library, De Beers and The Silver Trust. He is also a noted musician and musicologist.
Subject depicted
Summary
Sir Roy Strong commissioned this cup to mark the tenure of Lord Carrington as first Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the V&A. Carrington served as Chairman from 1983 to 1988.

The subject of this cup, the Gryphon, was selected for its mythological significance, that of Guardian of treasure. It thus reflected the position of the Chairman of the Museum’s Trustees.

Kevin Coates studied in London at the Central School of Art and at the Royal College of Art, graduating with an MA in 1976. His commissions include work for the Goldsmiths’ Company, The British Library, De Beers and The Silver Trust. He is also a noted musician and musicologist.
Collection
Accession number
M.64&A-1988

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

Record createdMarch 3, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSON