silver and gilded silver cruets, unmarked, English (London), around 1735; an oval silver cruet stand, partly gilded, English (London), around 1735, maker's mark of Charles Kandler.

A pair of vase-shaped cruets with openwork ornament of scrolls, shells and foliage, the hinged covers applied with the letters 'A' (for 'acqua' / 'water') or 'V' (for 'vinum' / 'wine') and engraved with scrolls and cherubs. The cruets have scroll handles formed as winged cherubs.
The silver stand is partly gilded, oval in shape, and engraved in the centre with the letters 'IHS'. The border is decorated with applied ornament comprising scrolls, vines, cherubs and the Lamb of God.

Lent by Diocese of Brentwood

The altar cruets were made by Charles Kandler for the use of Petre family private chapel at Thorndon Hall, Essex in about 1735.

Historical significance: From the earliest period it has been customary to mix water and wine in the Eucharist. The use of cruets in the Catholic church in England is revived after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660. There are surviving examples dated 1682 and 1693.

Secret Catholicism
After the Reformation, the Roman Catholic faith was severely restricted. Catholics who refused to attend Church of England services were known as recusants and until the late 17th century they had to worship in secret. However, the Dukes of Norfolk and aristocratic families such as the Arundells at Wardour Castle encouraged Catholic communities to use their private chapels and so kept the faith alive.

The Catholic plate that survives from before the 1660s is mainly limited to chalices, paxes and pyxes. These earlier pieces are rarely marked. After 1688, Catholic plate was more often hallmarked and the range of forms expanded to include sanctuary lamps, cruets and incense boats.

In London, Catholics could worship openly in foreign embassy chapels. The silver from the Sardinian Embassy chapel can be seen in the case to the right. During the reign of Charles II, Catholic courtiers could also attend the queen’s private chapel and that of the Queen Mother, Henrietta Maria.


In 'Rules to be observed in the Chapple at ye Right Honble Robert James Ld Petre's at Thorndon in Essex, MDCCXLI' (1741) instructions are given that the 'Best chalice & cruets' were to be used at Candlemas and on Exposition days including Christmas Day, Easter Sunday Whitsunday and Ascension Day.

These are the work of Charles Kandler, a leading London goldsmith who came originally from Dresden.

The stand is engraved with the ‘IHS’ (a contraction of the name Jesus Christ in Greek) and edged with vine scrolls incorporating cherubs and the Lamb of God. The vase-shaped cruets have hinged covers engraved with the letters ‘A’ and ‘V’ for acqua (water) and vinum (wine). During the Mass, the priest added a few drops of water to the wine in the chalice.

LOAN:MET ANON.10, 13, 14-2004