A silver-gilt cup commemorating the Coronation of James II, c.1685 © V&A Images
An extremely rare piece of coronation silver has been saved for the nation by the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the V&A Museum.
The James 2 Coronation Cup dates back to 1685 and only eight pieces from this period are known to have survived.
The unique cup is made from silver recycled from that which supported and decorated the canopies held of King James and queen Mary of Modena at their coronation.
Given to the barons who had held them in the coronation procession, the silver was used by Baron Creshold Draper and Gawden Draper who had it made into the coronation cup to commemorate the event.
“This rare coronation silver is not only a reminder of our royal history but also has a lesson for the present - even seventeenth-century gentry did some recycling. The National Heritage Memorial Fund is delighted to have helped save this magnificent cup,” said Carole Souter, Head of NHMF.
The 13cm tall cup is typical of the period and depicts four Chinoiserie figures inspire3d by the goods trade of the East India Company.
Mark Jones, V&A Director, said: “We are grateful for the donations that have enabled the V&A to acquire this important piece of British heritage so we can display it with later coronation canopy bells similar to those from which this commemorative cup was made.”
The James II Coronation Cup will be displayed in the V&A’s Whiteley Silver Galleries alongside other British coronation memorabilia
The National Heritage Memorial Fund is a fund of last resort set up to save the nations heritage and has so far helped to save more than 950 items.
