Case
1714-1715 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This case is from a set of altar plate which was was commissioned for the private chapel of Tyttenhanger House in Hertfordshire in the early 18th century. Sir Henry Pope, founder of Trinity College, Oxford, remodelled the chapel after he bought the house around 1547. His grandson, Sir Thomas Pope-Blount inherited Tyttenhanger in 1697, and it is likely he commissioned the set. This form of communion cup and cover was first employed by the Huguenot goldsmith John Chartier in 1699, only with the addition of "cut-card" work (Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford). The grand scale yet simple style is rare in English church silver of this period and was confined to a small circle of wealthy clergy and families. The set is in exceptionally good condition; the gilding is original and the engraving clear. Its lack of wear reflects how private plate was not used as extensively as that in parish churches. This part communion set, without a flagon, is in almost perfect condition having been kept in its original morocco covered boxes.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Leather, tooled |
| Brief description | Tooled leather case for standing paten and alms dish. From set of altar plate, London hallmarks for 1714-15, marks of Robert Timbrell and Joseph Bell 1. |
| Physical description | Tooled leather case for standing paten and alms dish. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Plate from a Private Chapel
This set was used in Protestant worship for the service of Holy Communion. It consists of a cup and paten (for serving the consecrated wine and bread) and an alms dish. Originally there would probably also have been a flagon.
The set comes from the private chapel of Tyttenhanger House in Hertfordshire. The chapel was remodelled around 1547 and the silver commissioned in the early 18th century, probably by Sir Thomas Pope-Blount who inherited the estate in 1697.
The silver is in almost perfect condition having been kept in the original leather- covered boxes. This lack of wear, shown in the original gilding and clear engraving, shows how private plate was not used as extensively as that in parish churches.
The grand scale yet simple style was rare in English church silver of this period. It was confined to a small circle of wealthy clergy and families.
London, England, 1714-15; by Robert Timbrell
(active about 1678-1715) and Joseph Bell I
(active about 1700-29)
Silver gilt with leather cases
Lent by the Trustees of the Tyttenhanger Estate(22/11/2005) |
| Credit line | Private Collection |
| Historical context | Private Devotion The objects in this display are of two kinds. They include pieces made for use in private chapels, such as plate and shrines, as well as personal objects like reliquaries and jewels used in private devotions. It was mainly the great houses, like Chatsworth, Hatfield and Arundel Castle, that had a private chapel. They held services for the family, their guests and servants and had their own altar plate. Many of the objects made for private chapels were similar to those made for parish churches. Jewelled religious objects are used as an aid to prayer and were found in a much wider social context. Reliquary pendants act as a focus for devotion through the relics or images of saints they contain, while the rosary provides a discipline and structure for private prayer. Such pieces are often treasured personal possessions, passed down through generations. |
| Summary | This case is from a set of altar plate which was was commissioned for the private chapel of Tyttenhanger House in Hertfordshire in the early 18th century. Sir Henry Pope, founder of Trinity College, Oxford, remodelled the chapel after he bought the house around 1547. His grandson, Sir Thomas Pope-Blount inherited Tyttenhanger in 1697, and it is likely he commissioned the set. This form of communion cup and cover was first employed by the Huguenot goldsmith John Chartier in 1699, only with the addition of "cut-card" work (Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford). The grand scale yet simple style is rare in English church silver of this period and was confined to a small circle of wealthy clergy and families. The set is in exceptionally good condition; the gilding is original and the engraving clear. Its lack of wear reflects how private plate was not used as extensively as that in parish churches. This part communion set, without a flagon, is in almost perfect condition having been kept in its original morocco covered boxes. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | LOAN:MET ANON.2:3-1969 |
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| Record created | November 17, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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