Ewer, silver, Birmingham hallmarks for 1773-4, mark of Matthew Boulton & John Fothergill.

Neo-classical vase shape with high looped handle, gadrooned and fluted base

Lent by the Vicar and Churchwardens of St. Bartholomew's, Orford, Suffolk

The ewer was commissioned by Francis, Earl of Hertford with a matching communion cup from the Birmingham manufacturers Boulton and Fothergill and given to the united parishes of Sudborne and Orford in Suffolk.

Classical Ideal Exhibition RF.2009/1012

Historical significance: The gift was calculated to win political support.

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.

The donor, Lord Hertford, was Lord Chamberlain and represented Orford as a 'Rotten Borough' in Parliament.

Attribution note: To keep the cost of the order down, the patron stipulated that it should be 'as light as the nature of the work would possibly admit'. Matthew Boulton charged £35 4s for the two pieces.

The ewer was commissioned by Francis, Earl of Hertford as a container for communion wine, with a communion cup, from the Birmingham manufacturers Boulton and Fothergill as a gift to the united parishes of Sudborne and Orford. Lord Hertford represented orford as a 'Rotten Borough' in Parliament and so the gift was calculated to win political support.

LOAN:ORFORDPCC.1-2005