Contemporary with the mazers are magnificent standing cups and covers, such as the “Anathema” Cup, of the date 1481, at Pembroke College, Cambridge, or the Lynn Cup, a century earlier, in possession of the corporation of King’s Lynn. It must be remembered in the contemplation of our art treasures, and more especially the plate that is left to us, that the data upon which we may form conclusions are very slender. Happily much that is superlative is left to us, unscathed through centuries of civil war and plunderings and meltings-down; but often two pieces of the same period represent extreme types. One may be a merely ordinary common vessel and the other may be of most exquisite and beautiful work, which reached the summit of excellence even in its own day. Comparisons are odious. But it is as though in five centuries hence all else were swept aside and all that the twenty-fifth century had upon which to pass judgment on the eighteenth century potter were sundry ornate Wedgwood vases and certain crude cottage figures.
THE LEIGH CUP AND COVER.
With London hall-mark for 1499. Richly ornamented in Gothic style. Having inscription on bands of blue enamel in letters of silver. The second earliest cup known with a hall-mark.
(See description [p. 93].)
(By courteous permission of the Mercers’ Company.)
By the courtesy of the Mercers’ Company an illustration of the famous Leigh Standing Cup and cover is here produced. The date of this is 1499. The vessel is ornamented with raised crossed bands, and in the panels formed by their intersection are alternate heads of maidens and flagons, which are the badges of the company. The foot rests on three miniature flagons, and has a deep chased border with a pierced trefoil enrichment. On the cover are the arms of the City of London and the company. The cover is surmounted by a maiden seated, with an unicorn reclining in her lap, the word “Desyer” on its side. Round the cover and cup are bands of blue enamel, with letters of silver, with the following inscription:
To Ellect the Master of the Mercerie hither am I sent
And by Sir Thomas Legh for the same entent.