(In possession of Parish of St. Martin’s, Exeter.)
An interesting Charles II cup, silver-gilt, is illustrated [page 75]. The maker’s mark is H. G. and the date letter is a black-letter capital
, indicating the year 1660. The illustration shows the position of the marks and the irregular manner in which they were stamped at that period. The marks are illustrated on [page 369]. Cups such as this have sometimes had portions added to them, converting them into ewers with curved spout and large handle. There is a piece among the corporation plate at York which suggests such an alteration. In the days of Charles II the puritanic form of the few pieces of plate then remaining offended the new spirit of gaiety. Cromwell’s cavalry had stabled their horses in cathedrals; with the Restoration, communion cups were converted into vessels for less sacred use.
Illustrated on the same page are two William III flagons, with date letter for 1692, and maker’s mark I. Y. These are in the possession of the parish of St. Martin’s, Exeter. These flagons were wrought in London in the fateful year when Marlborough was dismissed from his office on suspicion of high treason, when Louis XIV espoused the cause of the exiled James and prepared to invade England. By the naval victory of La Hogue the supremacy of the seas was gained. On land the French took Namur, but although William was defeated he prevented the French from entering Brussels. All these pieces of news filtered through to London in the days when the craftsman was patiently hammering these flagons and twisting the handles and fashioning the thumb-pieces. To-day to the curious and pensive mind the row of stamped symbols recalls the England of William.
Examples of the patens later in use are shown on [page 79]. The two Charles II pieces are on feet, and it will be seen that they are ornamented with rope-pattern borders. They are inscribed “St. Martin’s in Exeter.” The London date letter is for 1680, and the maker’s mark is E. G. Between them stands a Queen Anne lavabo bowl with the Exeter mark for 1702, the maker being John Elston.
A Queen Anne paten is illustrated beneath on the same page. The Exeter date mark is for 1714, and the maker is Pentecost Symonds. The illustration shows in what position the marks are placed, and they are illustrated on [page 391].
A remarkable communion cup and cover of small size is illustrated on [page 81]. This is a George II specimen and is unique. It bears the Exeter mark for 1729, and the maker is James Strong. The stem of this cup is in baluster form of fine proportions. The cover is remarkable, being intended, when removed, for use as a flat paten. In addition to the usual central button it has four small additional feet. It was intended for the use of the sick, hence its smaller size. Altogether it is a most remarkable piece. It has an inscription which runs: “Deo Christo et Ecclesiae St. Martini Exon in usu infirmorum.” The marks on it are given under the illustration.
