Object Description
Originating from the English provincial town of Dorchester in Dorset, this fine early English chalice dates to the reign of Elizabeth I. It has the standard design for Elizabethan communion cups with straight tapering sides and a slightly flared top; with wire ornament applied to the stem and hammered egg and dart frieze to the foot. The beautifully hatched decorative bands below the top edge of the cup are typical for the period, they are well executed and with good definition. Most likely this cup has been made from pre-reformation silver and it has the lovely hand beaten finish you’d expect at this date. The removable cover (paten) bears the date of 1574. Superb antique colour.
Contains 250 ml.
Chalice weight 231 grams, 7.4 troy oz. Height 20.2cm, diameter of top 9.9cm.
Cover weight 55 grams, 1.7 troy oz. Height 2.4cm, diameter 9cm.
London c.1574.
Maker’s mark only for Lawrence Stratford.
Sterling silver.
16th century.
Mark. Stamped below the rim, and on the paten, with maker’s mark “LS within a circle filled with pellets” listed for Lawrence Stratford in Jackson’s Gold & Silver Marks page 273, a known spoon and communion cup maker. The paten bears the date “1574”.
Maker: Lawrence Stratford
Lawrence Stratford, Dorchester silversmith, a well known spoonmaker. Lawrence’s father John was a prosperous Dorchester goldsmith who served as bailiff in 1552 and in 1558/9 he was assessed at the very substantial figure of £9 in goods. Lawrence also served as bailiff in 1583 and 1593. Lawrence died circa 1595.
During the 1570s Lawrence Stratford participated in the campaign to provide replacement Communion Cups. His mark “monogram LS within a ring of small pellets, 6 pointed mullet to one side, small saltire cross to the other” has been found on chalices in more than 30 parish churches in Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset (dated from 1573-1578).
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