Description

A superb early English silver wine cup of very plain form with a cast baluster stem and spreading foot. This large goblet has an excellent patina, good weight, and sits very well in the hand. To the front is a well-executed armorial for Dr Thomas Eden, hand engraved, the style is typical of the Charles I period with the shield within a laurel-wreath. This is an outstanding piece of antique silver in every way.

Contains 430 ml.
Weight 326 grams, 10.4 troy ounces.
Height 19.8cm. Diameter 9.2cm (top), 9cm (foot).
London 1631.
Maker “HM”.
Sterling silver.
17^th century.

Marks. Fully marked in a straight line just below the rim and has the lion passant on the underside of the foot. The maker’s mark is rubbed but is very probably the “HM” conjoined in Jacksons (page 117), a recorded cup maker.

*It is unusual to have a maker’s name for a piece of silver of this early date as there are no precise records of silver makers’ marks prior to 1697. All records were destroyed in the fire at Goldsmiths Hall in 1681 when the Assay Office and apartments of the Assayer and Clerk in the south west wing of the building were burned down. Sometimes the details of makers can be discovered from old records such as the inventories of noble houses and other institutions. A recent study by Dr David Mitchell, supported by Goldsmiths Hall, resulted in the publication of his 2017 “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London” which identifies some of the previously unknown makers marks and assigns marks struck on existing plate to individuals (attributions for 540 separate marks).

Arms. The arms are for Dr Thomas Eden Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, the prominent English jurist, academic and politician. Eden sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1645. Eden was a munificent benefactor to Trinity Hall and there is a tankard, with similar engravings to those on this cup, in the Trinity Hall collection.

The cup is in very good condition and has an excellent patina. The engravings are sharp. Shows moderate signs of wear consistent with age. This cup has been tested for water retention and does not leak.

No maker assigned

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