An Irish Chalice, silver-gilt, used at Mount Keefe, County Cork and dated 1590

The sexfoil base rises from a horizontal die-struck foot ring. Two faces of the base are engraved with pairs of cross hatched leaf sprays, each enclosing a shamrock; the third is engraved with the Crucifixion, surmounted by a shamrock like device with rays and flanked by the emblems of Christ's Passion. Within the foot are six vertical strips added during repairs. The hexagonal shaft terminates in hexagonal punched wires; the knop is melon shaped and chased with segments, three of which are engraved with flower heads. The base of the bowl is clasped by a shaped calyx, with alternate petals, cross hatched. A contemporary inscription under the foot- ring reads ' COK ME FIERI FECIT ANNO DOMINI 1590' there is also a later inscription 'The Mount Keefe Chalice - reconsecrated Burton Park AD 1916'. This chalice was made by an Irish goldsmith for mass use according to the Roman Catholic rite. In common with most contemporary Irish liturgical plate, it bears no goldsmith's marks but there is a dedicatory inscription recording that it was made to the order of C.O.K, probably a member of the O'Keefe family, in 1590.

This chalice was made by an Irish goldsmith for use in the Roman Catholic mass. It was reconsecrated for use at the wedding on one of Mrs Purcell's daughters. The ceremony took place in the private chapel at Burton.



Historical significance: The prominence given to the shamrock leaf, an ancient religious symbol in Ireland, is unusual. By 1600 the association of the shamrock with St. Patrick had widened from its purely religious associations and the shamrock had become a national emblem for Ireland. Irish chalices are distinct from contemporary chalices made in England for recusant use which are normally quite plain, rarely bear any inscriptions or date and are often constructed in three parts for concealment and convenience when travelling.

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.

The chalice is one of the most important vessels of the Roman Catholic church, since it contains the wine consecrated by the priest during the service of Mass. It was usually made from precious metal to reflect the precious status of its contents.



In Ireland, Catholics still worshipped openly in the late 16th century, though in England the faith was severely restricted. This chalice is grand in proportion, for a large congregation, and is engraved with the Crucifixion and the Instruments of the Passion (objects associated with Christ’s suffering and Crucifixion). It is inscribed in Latin ‘COK had me made in the Year of the Lord 1590’. The tall pyramidal foot was a regional feature.



The prominence given to the shamrock leaf is unusual. At this period the shamrock was not seen specifically as a national emblem, but instead was ancient religious symbol associated with St Patrick.

M.31-1929