An exceptionally rare Charles I/Commonwealth pewter ‘recusan...

Hammer

£4,600

An exceptionally rare Charles I/Commonwealth pewter ‘recusant’ chalice and accompanying paten, probably Lancashire, circa 1640-50

Having a plain bowl, on an inverted-baluster knop, with paired incised lines at the widest point, on a flat circular base, again with paired incised lines near edge, very narrow footrim, 7.5 fl.oz., height 15cm; and a plain paten, which appears the same size as the chalice base before it was formed, diameter 10cm, (2)

Provenance: Jane Russell Collection.

Illustrated: Journal of the Pewter Society, Autumn 2015, p.42.

Literature: See J. Webb, “English Recusant Base-Metal Chalices’ Journal of the Royal Archaeological Institute  no. 143, 1986.  See also H.H. Cotterell, ‘Old Pewter, its Makers and Marks’, p.97, fig a

A similar shaped chalice in St, Peter’s Church, Rauceby, Lincolnshire unusually has a markers’ mark, the touch of Charles Flood, London, (fl.1632-1655), (fl.3421). See Journal of the Pewter Society, Autumn 2015, p.41-42. Fore another similar chalice, again by Flood, see the Victoria & Albert Museum London Collection, acc. no. M.70-1945.

The simple paten is exceptionally rare. The appendix of the aforementioned J. Webb publication, p. 360-6, records six, with five having a Lancashire Provenance. One is recorded in a private collection, Lancashire, still in the original recusant house; another at Stonyhurst College, formerly Samlesbury Hall; one in the Lancashire Record Office, Preston, from Great Eccleston; one from the house of the Swarbrick family, Garstang; and the fifth Lydiate Hall.  The sixth is recorded at St. Edwards College, Surrey.