Gallery Title
Gallery Title
Norwich silver flagon
Accession Number NWHCM : 1980.35
Description
An Elizabethan Norwich silver flagon; parcel gilt; almost globular body with cylindrical neck; three upright straps on the body connected by hinges to a band of egg-and-dart and billet moulding at the neck, and to a band of applied foliage design around moulded foot; loop handle decorated with flat-chased acanthus leaf at lower terminal; thumbpiece formed of two dolphins; single-stepped cover engraved with band of strapwork forming three panels of stylised foliage; raised circular boss engraved with coat of arms of Bell of Suffolk flanked by the initials W and P. A crude T was subsequently inserted. Engraved inside cover MDCXXIV; base of flagon engraved 'wayt XXXX...oz iii.../at VI iiii.
Read MoreNorwich silver flagon
William Cobbold (1530-1586) was the best of the Norwich goldsmiths, and his work compares favourably with that of his contemporaries in London and in other provincial centres. His mark, the orb and cross in lozenge and in various other surrounds, was, until recently, attributed to Peter Peterson. An entry in St. John Maddermarket churchwardens' accounts records pay¬ment to Cobbold for making the communion cup (which is marked with an orb and cross in lozenge). He was not apprenticed, became a freeman in 1551 and was Warden in 1564 and 15661.
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