A 16th century parcel-gilt silver chalice and paten

unmarked

Footnotes

This chalice and paten have been spectrographically tested at the London Assay Office. The report included in this lot concludes, with 98/99% probability, that the chalice (tested in four places) and paten date between 1500-1600.

Surviving chalices from the 16th century are scarce: the spoliation of cathedrals and churches by Henry VIII and Archbishop Parker's declaration in 1569 that 'profane cups, bowls, dishes or chalices' should be banned resulted in a great many pre-reformation examples ending up in the melting pot. Some were also taken to silversmiths to be converted into Communion cups. In the period of the 16th century after the reformation non-conformists were subjected to persecution and fines. However, there were still large numbers of Roman Catholics and services continued, of which chalices were a necessary part. The form of the current chalice suggests a late 16th century origin, and may be considered a piece of early Catholic recusant silver.

The present lot has come down to its current owner by decent from the Salisbury family. The earliest reference to the chalice is 1851 when it was kept at Rhug Chapel, Denbighshire, Wales. The private chapel was built by Colonel William Salisbury in 1637 where the chalice was seen and discussed by Maurice Ridgeway. In a letter to the present owner (and later in his work on the silver of the St. Asaph Diocese where the chalice is illustrated) he expressed his view that the chalice was made later than previously thought, following the High Church fashion encouraged by William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury 1633-45. Ridgway goes on to suggest that it was most likely made at the time of the erection of Rhug Chapel in 1637. However, this is at odds with the recent results from the London Assay Office.

Literature
John Parker (MS) National Library of Wales.
Maurice H. Ridgway, 'Church Plate of the St. Asaph Diocese', (Denbigh 1997), page 241.