The Richard Godfrey Cup
Cup and Cover
1627-1628 (hallmarked)
1627-1628 (hallmarked)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This standing cup and cover was made as a presentation cup and intended for display. It is known as a 'steeple' cup because of the pyramidal steeple on the cover. These steeples served to add height and thus increase the dramatic impact of the cup. In practical terms, however, they also added a great deal of weight, making the cup unwieldy and prone to damage. Steeple cups were made only in England.
Ownership & Use
The cup was commissioned by the Town Council of Romney, Kent, and presented to Richard Godfrey in recognition of his service to the town. The cup, cover and foot are richly decorated with dolphins, waves, mussels and oysters, marine motifs appropriate for one of England's Cinque Ports. These five ports remain part of an ancient jurisdiction originally set up as a defence against invaders along the southern coast of England. Obliged to assist the royal fleet, the towns received in return a great many privileges and became immensely wealthy. Two of the town's seals are depicted on the cup.
This standing cup and cover was made as a presentation cup and intended for display. It is known as a 'steeple' cup because of the pyramidal steeple on the cover. These steeples served to add height and thus increase the dramatic impact of the cup. In practical terms, however, they also added a great deal of weight, making the cup unwieldy and prone to damage. Steeple cups were made only in England.
Ownership & Use
The cup was commissioned by the Town Council of Romney, Kent, and presented to Richard Godfrey in recognition of his service to the town. The cup, cover and foot are richly decorated with dolphins, waves, mussels and oysters, marine motifs appropriate for one of England's Cinque Ports. These five ports remain part of an ancient jurisdiction originally set up as a defence against invaders along the southern coast of England. Obliged to assist the royal fleet, the towns received in return a great many privileges and became immensely wealthy. Two of the town's seals are depicted on the cup.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Title | The Richard Godfrey Cup (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, cast, chased and engraved |
| Brief description | Steeple cup, decorated with chased waves and dolphins. English (London), 1627 - 1628. |
| Physical description | Cup and cover made for presentation |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by the Venerable D. Tait, Archdeacon of Rochester |
| Object history | Made for the Town Council of Romney as a gift for Richard Godfrey, MP for Romney in the 1620s. Made in London by an unknown craftsman, signed 'F' in a beaded oval The donor was the town of Romney, one of the Cinque Ports, whose commonalty and mayoral seals seals appear engraved in the plaques on the bowl; the recipient, Richard Godfrey, had close formal and family associations with Romney having served in three Parliaments as MP for the town (1623-4, 1625, 1626). Hence also the choice of dolphins. The town's right to the bearings in its seals had been reaffirmed by a heraldic visitation by Rouge Dragon in 1619. The Godfrey family had long associations with the Kent coastal towns, serving as jurats (burgesses) and as MPs; Thomas, Richard's father was one of the Earl of Northampton's clients and a member of his household. He sat as MP for Winchelsea in the Addled Parliament (1614). Historical significance: While the quality of the silversmith's work is mediocre, there is considerable interest in the chasing, whose marine theme was clearly dictated by the nature of the commission. |
| Summary | Object Type This standing cup and cover was made as a presentation cup and intended for display. It is known as a 'steeple' cup because of the pyramidal steeple on the cover. These steeples served to add height and thus increase the dramatic impact of the cup. In practical terms, however, they also added a great deal of weight, making the cup unwieldy and prone to damage. Steeple cups were made only in England. Ownership & Use The cup was commissioned by the Town Council of Romney, Kent, and presented to Richard Godfrey in recognition of his service to the town. The cup, cover and foot are richly decorated with dolphins, waves, mussels and oysters, marine motifs appropriate for one of England's Cinque Ports. These five ports remain part of an ancient jurisdiction originally set up as a defence against invaders along the southern coast of England. Obliged to assist the royal fleet, the towns received in return a great many privileges and became immensely wealthy. Two of the town's seals are depicted on the cup. |
| Bibliographic reference | Glanville, Philippa. Silver in Tudor and Early Stuart England, A Social History and Catalogue of the National Collection, 1480-1660. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1990. pp.410-411. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.80:1, 2-1921 |
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| Record created | October 6, 1998 |
| Record URL |
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