368 



Old Church Plate in Wilts. 



of the chalice are these : — height, 5|in. ; the diameter of the lip 

 of the bowl and of the foot are the same, 4 Jin. The entry of 

 " goods to be safelie kept " relating to this parish, by the Com- 

 missioners of Edward VI., in 1533, is as follows: — 



A Chalice or Cuppe Bells In plate to the Kings use 

 Barwicke S. Jacobie xj iij iiij 



The silver Paten, an illustration of which is given together with 

 the chalice, is perfectly plain with the exception of the sacred 

 monogram engraved in its centre. From the form of the letters it 

 would appear to have been made some time in the fifteenth century. 

 The diameter of the paten is 6m. 1 



There is also belonging to the parish a massive Flagon and cover 

 of the tall tankard form, with the hall-mark of 1739 : the maker's 

 name G.S.; bearing the following inscription : Given to the Parish 

 Church of Barwick St. James, 1739. 



Bishopstone. Here is a fine service of Church plate of silver 

 gilt, of foreign manufacture, given by Dr. John Earles, many years 

 rector of the parish, and afterwards Bishop of Salisbury. It consists 

 of two Chalices, two Patens, and a Dish. The chalices, measuring 

 9jin. in height, are of a decidedly foreign type, in vogue during the 

 seventeenth century, bearing no resemblance at all to English 

 chalices of that period. The bowl is plain, with an elaborate stem 

 and knop ; the base is broad, and ornamented with repousse work 

 of renaissance character in compartments ; the old subject of the 

 Crucifixion, on the base, is here replaced by a Maltese cross. The 

 dish and two patens, measuring respectively 9in. and 6 Jin. in 



1 The chalice and paten are now deposited in the British Museum. This was 

 not done without full consideration by the vicar, churchwardens, and parishioners, 

 also with the concurrence of the Bishop. The paten, owing to the original thin- 

 ness of the metal, and from long use, had become no longer fit for decent usage ; 

 it had several fractures, and had already been rivetted. The chalice also required 

 some slight repair. Under these exceptional circumstances, and for other reasons, 

 it was thought desirable that these objects should find a final resting-place in the 

 British Museum ; and they were accordingly given by the parish to the national 

 collection. A handsome and appropriate chalice and paten were afterwards 

 presented to the parish by the generosity of A. W. Franks, Esq., F.S.A. 



