Hall marks on gold & silver plate

INTRODUCTION. xlvii
by metal formed into an animal's head, and is supported by two
claw-shaped feet attached to bands, and round the upper end of the
horn is also an inscribed band. The lid, surmounted by an eagle,
is of later date. At Christ's Hospital, London, there is a somewhat
similar horn, but in this case the two claw-shaped feet are attached
to a single band, and are side by side instead of being in front of
each other. The Cawdor horn is also celebrated, although it is not
the original one, but was made in the time of Henry VII The horn
is borne by the royal supporters, and is highly ornamented.
Of standing cups made entirely of the precious metals there
are many notable examples still remaining. The cup at Lynn is
supposed to have been given to that town by King John it is silver
;
gilt, richly ornamented with enamelled figures, the stem is slender,
the foot circular, the height 15 inches, and it is of the fourteenth
century.* The Foundress's Cup at Christ's College, Cambridge,
of the fifteenth century, is a quamt, if
of work; the stem, bowl and cover
not altogether pleasing, piece
are ornamented with broad
twisted bands composed of conventional foliage in repousse work.
At Pembroke College, Cambridge, there is a fine specimen known as
the Anathema Cup, bearing the London hall <strong>marks</strong> for 148 1, and
it is one of the earliest dated vessels in existence. The second
earliest cup with a date mark is the "Leigh Cup," now at the
Mercers' <strong>Hall</strong>, London. This is of silver gilt, richly ornamented
by raised ropes, which form lozenges, containing alternately heads
of maidens and flasks; round the bowl and lid is a record of the
gift of this cup, on the foot and bowl is an open cresting, and the
lid is surmounted by a virgin with an unicorn. At Christ's College,
Cambridge, there is a handsome standing cup or stoup, covered with
diaper work enclosing double roses, fleur de lis, and portcullis in
the centre of each lozenge, and a daisy at each intersection, which
was made early in the sixteenth century.
The Richmond Cup, now at Armourers' <strong>Hall</strong>, made about the
same time, is of a different type, having raised ribs, which form the
bowl, cover, and stem. The silver gilt hanap or standing cup at
Portsmouth was made in 1590, and presented by Robert Lee to the
Corporation. At Corby Church, Co. Northampton, there is a beautiful
silver gilt covered cup that was made in 1601. The bowl and
cov^er form a perfect oval, entirely covered with repousse work of
bands of leaves ; on the cover is a pyramid, with three sides ; the stem
is baluster in form, with a high foot.f This cup was evidently made
for secular purposes, though now used in the church. A somewhat
similar cup will be found at Braunstone Church, Co. Leicester.J
A very fine standing cup with cover, made of silver gilt,
repousse with fruit and foliage, strap work and dolphins, with the
London hall <strong>marks</strong> for 1604-5, bears the legend :
* " Examples of Art Workmanship."
t Markham's " Church Plate of the County of Northampton," p. 77.
X TroUope's " Church Plate of Leicestershire," p. 321.