Communion Cup
Hallmarked for 1831-1832 (made)
Object Type
The shape of this cup is that of a traditional Protestant communion cup. A communion cup was used to give wine consecrated during the Eucharist to the congregation. After the Reformation, most Roman Catholic chalices were converted into or replaced by communion cups. Although chalices and communion cups have the same function, their shape is often different, as is the role of communion wine in the Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions.
Design & Designing
Gothic arches and foliage decorate the bowl and foot. The Gothic designs of the Middle Ages regained popularity in the late 18th century and 19th after the long preference for design from the Classical sources of ancient Greece and Rome. One of the major proponents of the Gothic style was the architect and designer A.W.N. Pugin (1812-1852), who insisted it was the only style fit for a Christian country.
People
The cup forms part of a service of plate presented to the parish church of Mapledurham, Oxfordshire, in 1831 by its vicar, the Reverend Lord Augustus Fitz-Clarence (1805-1854). Lord Augustus, the illegitimate fifth son of William, Duke of Clarence (who reigned as William IV, 1830-1837), by Mrs Dora Jordan, a well-known actress, was appointed to the living under the patronage of the Crown in 1829.
Edward Barnard & Sons, who made this set of church silver, were the successors to a major silversmithing firm established in London around 1689 by Anthony Nelme (active 1672-1722).
The shape of this cup is that of a traditional Protestant communion cup. A communion cup was used to give wine consecrated during the Eucharist to the congregation. After the Reformation, most Roman Catholic chalices were converted into or replaced by communion cups. Although chalices and communion cups have the same function, their shape is often different, as is the role of communion wine in the Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions.
Design & Designing
Gothic arches and foliage decorate the bowl and foot. The Gothic designs of the Middle Ages regained popularity in the late 18th century and 19th after the long preference for design from the Classical sources of ancient Greece and Rome. One of the major proponents of the Gothic style was the architect and designer A.W.N. Pugin (1812-1852), who insisted it was the only style fit for a Christian country.
People
The cup forms part of a service of plate presented to the parish church of Mapledurham, Oxfordshire, in 1831 by its vicar, the Reverend Lord Augustus Fitz-Clarence (1805-1854). Lord Augustus, the illegitimate fifth son of William, Duke of Clarence (who reigned as William IV, 1830-1837), by Mrs Dora Jordan, a well-known actress, was appointed to the living under the patronage of the Crown in 1829.
Edward Barnard & Sons, who made this set of church silver, were the successors to a major silversmithing firm established in London around 1689 by Anthony Nelme (active 1672-1722).
Object details
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver gilt |
| Brief description | Mapledurham communion cup |
| Physical description | Silver-gilt communion cup with applied Gothic decoration with baluster stem on trumpet shaped foot engraved with the Sacred Monogram and the Royal Coat of Arms |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Engraved with the arms of the Reverend Lord Augustus Fitz-Clarence |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Until about 1835, designers were quite happy to apply Gothic architectural ornament to objects of traditional shape. In this cup, the basic 18th-century form of communion cup and standing paten has been given a Gothic character by the application of pointed arcading in relief.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Lent by Mapledurham Church by the Rector and churchwardens of Caversham, Reading, Berkshire |
| Object history | Made in London by the firm of Edward Barnard & Sons and Presented to Mapledurham Church, Oxfordshire in 1831 by the Vicar, the Reverend Lord Augustus Fitz-Clarence (1805-1854), an illegitimate son of William IV Presented to Mapledurham Church, Oxfordshire in 1831 by the Vicar, the Reverend Lord Augustus Fitz-Clarence (1805-1854), an illegitimate son of William IV |
| Associations | |
| Summary | Object Type The shape of this cup is that of a traditional Protestant communion cup. A communion cup was used to give wine consecrated during the Eucharist to the congregation. After the Reformation, most Roman Catholic chalices were converted into or replaced by communion cups. Although chalices and communion cups have the same function, their shape is often different, as is the role of communion wine in the Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions. Design & Designing Gothic arches and foliage decorate the bowl and foot. The Gothic designs of the Middle Ages regained popularity in the late 18th century and 19th after the long preference for design from the Classical sources of ancient Greece and Rome. One of the major proponents of the Gothic style was the architect and designer A.W.N. Pugin (1812-1852), who insisted it was the only style fit for a Christian country. People The cup forms part of a service of plate presented to the parish church of Mapledurham, Oxfordshire, in 1831 by its vicar, the Reverend Lord Augustus Fitz-Clarence (1805-1854). Lord Augustus, the illegitimate fifth son of William, Duke of Clarence (who reigned as William IV, 1830-1837), by Mrs Dora Jordan, a well-known actress, was appointed to the living under the patronage of the Crown in 1829. Edward Barnard & Sons, who made this set of church silver, were the successors to a major silversmithing firm established in London around 1689 by Anthony Nelme (active 1672-1722). |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | LOAN:MAPLEDURHAM CH.3 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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