Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/735

 drastic iconoclasm of the Puritans, there remain a considerable number of fine examples of Tudor work. Elizabethan Severity Queen Elizabeth did much to keep up the standard of silver plate, and in her reign the assayer at the Croldsmiths' Hall was instructed to examine with extreme strict- ness the plate issued, and to punish those who infringed the rules laid down. Two unfortunate goldsmiths, for example, were compelled to stand in the Westminster pillory with their ears nailed to it, and then were thrown into the Fleet Prison, whence they were not allowed to depart till they had paid a heavy fine. Noteworthy examples of sixteenth century plate are the 1507 beaker, at Christ's Church, Cambridge ; the 1564 Communion Cup, which is still in use at All Souls', Oxford; and the 1570 Poison Cup, in Clare College, Cambridge. This latter is a relic of the time when great personages had their food and drink tested, and substances credited with the power of re- vealing the presence of poison were worked into drinking vessels 707 WOMAN'S HOMV 1756, liowever, after having passed through various modifications, it assumed the final form of a plain shield, with decorated corners and an ornate ba.se. The Origin of the Britannia Mark After the Restoration a new era began in the history of English plate. These whose property had been voluntarily given up or confiscated were anxious to replace their los.ses, and much of the silver comagc of the day was appropriated. This led to the passing of an Act of Parliament in 1696, which, by raising the standard of plate, restricted the melting down of silver coin. The marks henceforth were to be a lion's head erased and the figure of a woman. to whom the name of Britannia was given. In addition, it became necessary to stamp the first two letters of the surname of the maker and a sign to specify the year when the plate was issued. For some twenty- three years these marks alone were used, but in June, 1720, the old standard was reverted to, and its marks were again employed. At this time, therefore, there were two legal yi^^y .^" ^mi'u This particular vessel Silver cup and cover, or porringer, with English hali-mark for Standards, but the later has a crystal in the ,. ^ ,,.^ . i^^?/"'^. '^^^ ^ ^ ,. and higher one was -- - - . V h rein the Vtctoria and Albert Museum, South kensuii^ton -i -i i i- gradually discon- lid, which was sup posed to become clouded if the wine had been tampered with at all. Apostle Spoons There are also some very fine examples of sixteenth century craftsmanship to be found in chalices, patens, and the so-called Apostle spoons. These latter came into use about 1506, and superseded the Maiden- head spoons. The handles of these spoons terminated in an image of the Blessed Virgin, but although they were introduced about 1450, hardly any specimens of the spoons can now be found. Thirteen was the number of a complete set of Apostle spoons, the figures representing respectively the twelve apostles and our Lord. Unfortunately no complete set is now known to be in existence. The nearest approach to such a treasure are the thirteen spoons, of dates ranging from 15 16 to 1566, that were presented to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, by Archbishop Parker. About 1547, the mark known as the lion passant came into use. At first it re- presented an attenuated creature, bearing some slight resemblance to a lion, with a small crown above its head, but in 1550 it lost its crown, and its body became a mere shield of oblong shape. This foiTn it retained until 1557. From then until 1677 the form of the shield followed that of the lion. In tinned, and examples of it, bearing the lion's head erased and the figure of Britannia, are rare. Since 1720 the records of the London Goldsmiths' Company have been kept very strictly, and the entries in it give not only the name of each craftsman, but the mark which he employed, printed with his own punch. Effects of the Duty on Silver After 1720, when the old standard was restored, some confusion arose between the work that fulfilled its requirements and that produced during its suspension. Some makers, indeed, registered two marks, using their ordinary initials on old sterling, and the first two letters of their surnames on new sterling plate. Paul Crespin. for instance, signed the former P.C., and the latter C.R. : whilst other old-established firms reverted to the marks which they had used before 1697. In 1739 an Act was passed ordering the destruction of all old punches. In 1798 another mark was added to those established in 1739, the head of the reigning sovereign, to prove the payment of a duty imposed on silver by an Act of 1784. This mark, however, was withdrawn in 1890, when the duty it symbolised was abolished. The following arc good fimis for suppivinif ni.ileri.ils, etc.. incntM>«cjl in this Section: Messrs. CUrk .V Co. it)veinij; and Clciniiujl : ^- f- I^ynde (SaniUry Inspection of Houses) ; Madoc Davies. A.K.C.M. (Vokc Production*; Potter * Clarice (Asthnui Cure) ; Whclpton * SoikIIIKi: Fletcher. Fletcher Jt Co.. Ltd. (Vibroiui Tonic Winei ; Chilpnifc M.mu- facturiog Co. (Woollen Underclothes).