FAMOUS CUP

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 83, 5 October 1931, Page 3

FAMOUS CUP

A cup with a fascinating history—the Howard Grace Cup, owned by the Duke of Norfolk —was sold at Christie's with the consent of the Duke's trustees, The cup, which is 3 2Jin in height, is also known as the "Thomasi aßecket" Cup, on account of the initials TB and an engraved mitre.' But the silver-gilt mounts, pearls,-garnets, and surmounting figure of Sti George and the Dragon aro typical of .the date shown by the hall-mark for 1525-6 (says the "Daily Mail"). Originally the cup was a simple font-shaped piece of ivory, with a plain circular lid. Various antiquaries have agreed that it was probably presented or bequeathed, in unmounted form, to .Catherine of Afagon, an ardent j Catholic, by . Howard, the Lord High Admiral.: Becket may have owned the cup, in keeping with the custom of reserving a .drinking vessel for strictly personal use; He was canonised, and the cup would thus receive great veneration. Whcn'Catherine obtained it she

probably had it enriched as it now is, in keeping with its saintly importance. Her badge—a pomegranate—appear* four times, together with the TB 'and mitre. Subsequently it was restored to the Howard family. 1n.1929 it was one of the chief exhibits in the silver «♦ hibition arranged by Sir Phillip Bassoon, and it was also shown, in the Scaford House exhibition. ./ , : When .Madame Ida Rubinstein, •.. tt»« famous actress and dancer, arrived in London >y aeroplane 70 tons of luggage followed in a train in 10 wagons.