Chalice

1859-1860 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

George Edmund Street George Edmund Street was a leading architect of the Gothic Revival. He had an extensive business based mainly on church building and restoration but also undertook important civic work, like the Law Courts in London. Street did not restrict himself to designing the buildings themselves. He involved himself in every detail of church furnishings, including ironwork, stained glass and embroideries. In 1856 the Ecclesiological Society appointed him superintendent of their church plate scheme, a role that also brought him many new commissions.

This chalice was used to serve the consecrated wine during the service of Holy Communion. The designer, George Edmund Street, was a leading architect of the Gothic Revival. Although he also did important civic work, his extensive business was based mainly on church building and restoration. Besides the architecture, Street involved himself in every detail of the furnishings, including ironwork, stained glass and embroideries.

In 1856 the Ecclesiological Society appointed Street superintendent of their church plate scheme, a role that also brought him many new commissions. He made this chalice was made for Alexander Penrose Forbes, Bishop of Brechin, who may have been acting on the recommendation of the Ecclesiological Society. Forbes then presented it to Dundee Cathedral. In 1862 the chalice was shown to great acclaim at the International Exhibition in London.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver-gilt, enamels and semi-precious stones
Brief description
Chalice, silver-gilt, designed by G.E. Street, made by John Keith, London, 1859-60.
Physical description
Chalice, silver-gilt, with enamels and precious and semi-precious stones. Hemispherical bowl with engraved inscribed band, jewelled knop and hexagonal lower stem with enamelling and filigree scrolling below which are panelled mouldings engraved with a diaper pattern and set with cabochons above a sexfoil base.
Dimensions
  • Height: 21.5cm
  • Of cup diameter: 11cm
  • Of base diameter: 15.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • London hallmarks for 1859-60
  • Inscribed around the bowl: "Calicem salutaris accipiam et nomen Domini invocabo" ( I will take the chalice of salvation and call on the name of the lord).
  • Inscribed on the underside of the base, in Latin: 'AD 1802 In Usum Altaris Ecclesiae Beati Pauli Deidonensis in Dioecei Brechinensi AD 1860'. (Note the Latin translation of 'Dundee' is 'Dei donum' ('the gift of God') -- cf. the motto on the city coat of arms (https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/dundees-civic-history/city-of-dundee-coat-of-arms). We are grateful to the Revd Dr Elizabeth Thomson, Provost of St Paul's Cathedral, Dundee, for pointing this out. )
    Translation
    'In the Year of Our Lord 1802 For the use on the altar of St Paul's Church of Dundee in the Diocese of Brechin, in the Year of Our Lord 1860'.
  • Stamped "I. KEITH LONDON"
  • Mark of John Keith.
Gallery label
George Edmund Street George Edmund Street was a leading architect of the Gothic Revival. He had an extensive business based mainly on church building and restoration but also undertook important civic work, like the Law Courts in London. Street did not restrict himself to designing the buildings themselves. He involved himself in every detail of church furnishings, including ironwork, stained glass and embroideries. In 1856 the Ecclesiological Society appointed him superintendent of their church plate scheme, a role that also brought him many new commissions. Chalice The chalice was used to serve the consecrated wine during the service of Holy Communion. The designer, George Edmund Street, was a leading architect of the Gothic Revival. Although he also did important civic work, his extensive business was based mainly on church building and restoration. Besides the architecture, Street involved himself in every detail of the furnishings, including ironwork, stained glass and embroideries. In 1856 the Ecclesiological Society appointed Street superintendent of their church plate scheme, a role that also brought him many new commissions. He made this chalice was made for Alexander Penrose Forbes, Bishop of Brechin, who may have been acting on the recommendation of the Ecclesiological Society. Forbes then presented it to Dundee Cathedral. In 1862 the chalice was shown to great acclaim at the International Exhibition in London. London, England, 1859–60; designed by G.E. Street (1824–81), made by John Keith (active about 1848 – about 1874) Silver gilt, with enamels and gemstones Lent by St Paul’s Cathedral, Dundee(22/11/2005)
Credit line
Lent by the Provost and Vestry of St Paul’s Cathedral, Dundee
Summary
George Edmund Street George Edmund Street was a leading architect of the Gothic Revival. He had an extensive business based mainly on church building and restoration but also undertook important civic work, like the Law Courts in London. Street did not restrict himself to designing the buildings themselves. He involved himself in every detail of church furnishings, including ironwork, stained glass and embroideries. In 1856 the Ecclesiological Society appointed him superintendent of their church plate scheme, a role that also brought him many new commissions.

This chalice was used to serve the consecrated wine during the service of Holy Communion. The designer, George Edmund Street, was a leading architect of the Gothic Revival. Although he also did important civic work, his extensive business was based mainly on church building and restoration. Besides the architecture, Street involved himself in every detail of the furnishings, including ironwork, stained glass and embroideries.

In 1856 the Ecclesiological Society appointed Street superintendent of their church plate scheme, a role that also brought him many new commissions. He made this chalice was made for Alexander Penrose Forbes, Bishop of Brechin, who may have been acting on the recommendation of the Ecclesiological Society. Forbes then presented it to Dundee Cathedral. In 1862 the chalice was shown to great acclaim at the International Exhibition in London.
Bibliographic reference
Victorian Church Art. London, H.M.S.O, 1971
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:DUNDEE CATHEDRAL.1-2005

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Record createdJuly 5, 2005
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