Two St Clement's Communion Beakers

SilversmithMade by John Allan (Aberdeen, Scotland, active 1794 - 1799)

AssociatedAssociated with St. Clement's Church (Footdee, Aberdeen, 1827 - 1987)

Datec. 1798

Object NameBeaker

Mediumsilver

ClassificationsApplied Art

DimensionsHeight: 14.6 cm
Base: Diameter: 7.4 cm
Rim: Diameter: 10 cm
Weight: ABDAG008612.1: 256.21gm ABDAG008612.2: 259.43gm

AcquisitionPresented in 1987 by the Joint Committee of St Clement's Church & Presbytery of Aberdeen.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG008612

Keywords

About MeThese cups were used during the celebration of communion at St Clement's Church, Footdee, Aberdeen until its closure in May 1987.
They were originally purchased in 1798 from contributions raised by the congregation to commemorate the first celebration of the sacrament of Holy Communion in the church since the Reformation. The minister at the time, the Reverend John Thomson, was an interesting, if rather eccentric character. He first qualified as a doctor of medicine before entering the ministry, and was known to be economical with the finances. He presided over a time of growth for the church's congregation, and oversaw the completion of the church building, still standing today. St Clements was also elevated to the status of parish church during his ministry, following the division of the single city parish of St Nicholas Church.
The cups are attributed to John Allan who was one of the boys educated at Robert Gordon's Hospital. Allan's son James (1778-1848) went to Madras in 1802, joining a group of goldsmiths from North East Scotland. The 'J A' mark has also been ascribed to James Abercrombie (1726-d.1756), who as a watchmaker would have added his mark to silver plate made in a related workshop.