Lot 363
Glasgow - a Scottish provincial communion cup
Auction: 16 August 2010 at 15:00 BST
Description
by John Luke Jnr, marked IL (within heart shaped punch), Glasgow town mark (of de structured form), D, indistinct mark possibly makers mark repeated), the cup deep tapering bowl with slightly everted rim and gilt interior, engraved to front with Glasgow town arms in square border with motto 'Lord let Glasgow flourish through the preaching of thy word' and dated above '1721', the bowl raised on a knopped and tapered baluster stem and stepped domed circular foot
Dimensions
11.7cm diameter of bowl, 20.5cm high, 16oz
Footnote
Provenance:
Private Collection
Shapes, Edinburgh, 'Fine Silver & Works of Art' 28th August 1999, lot 105, illustrated
Property of the Trustees of The Barony Ramshorn Church, Glasgow
Notes: of the surviving Glasgow communion cups of the early to mid 18th century it is obvious that the highly influential Luke family were the preferred or even considered the specialised makers for such wares. The proportion by their hands is much higher than one would perhaps expect when it is considered the number of quality silversmiths in the town at the time.
This type of cup seems to have been the fashion within the town for some time as this pattern is noted with a wide range of engraved presentations and dates, mainly with the town arms accompanying.