Communion plate set

British

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

circa 1490 - 1722

These three sets of communion plate represent three phases of acquisition by Castle Bromwich church, reflecting changing liturgical and ecclesiastical practice from late medieval catholicism to mid 18th century Anglicanism. 1) The small paten is very rare as so little Pre-Reformation plate survives; 2) The 17th century wine cup was a popular secular vessel which only survived due its use as a piece of Anglican communion plate. 3) The flagons and standing paten by Anthony Nelme (main illustration) are excellent examples of clean, pared down classicism, and fantastic examples of early Georgian silver. Birmingham possesses an outstanding collection of silver and ormolu by Matthew Boulton, and other major goldsmiths. It's representation of the 17th and 18th centuries will be greatly enhanced by the Castle Bromwich altar plate.

• Medium: silver
• Dimensions: various
• Art Fund Grant: £27000 ( Total: £54,000)
• ArtFunded in: 2010
• Vendor: Parish Church of Castle Bromwich

Provenance

Castle Bromwich Chapel. The works were on loan to the museum from 1984 to 2010.

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