Communion cups

Add to album

This pair of silver communion cups from Balmaghie Parish Church in Galloway were made by Gilbert Kirkwood, a goldsmith of Edinburgh.

Each cup is 'V'-shaped with a narrow stem on a small steep-sided cushion foot. On one side of the bowl are the letters 'MHM' for Mr Hew McGhie, minister of the parish between 1615 to 1638. On the other side is 'P K BMG' for Parish Kirk of Balmaghie.

These cups were among many produced shortly after the 1617 Acts of Parliament that ruled that each church must acquire communion silver.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-102-941-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  Q.L.1979.10
• Date: 1617 - 1619
  1617 - 1619
  Between 1617 and 1619
  
• Material: Silver
  Silver
  Cup, communion
  Cup, communion
  
• Dimensions: 195 mm H x 120 mm Dia (Rim) x 83 mm Dia (Base)
  195 mm H x 120 mm Dia (Rim) x 83 mm Dia (Base)
  
• What: Cup, communion
  Cup, communion
  
• Subject:
• Who: Gilbert Kirkwood
  Gilbert Kirkwood
  Gilbert Kirkwood, Edinburgh (Maker)
  Gilbert Kirkwood, Edinburgh (Maker)
  Hugh MacGhie, minister
  Hugh MacGhie, minister
  John Lindsay, deacon
  John Lindsay, deacon
  
• Where: Scotland, Balmaghie Parish Church
  Scotland, Balmaghie Parish Church
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver communion cup from Balmaghie Parish Church, Galloway, by Gilbert Kirkwood, Edinburgh, deacon John Lindsay, 1617 - 1619
  Silver communion cup from Balmaghie Parish Church, Galloway, by Gilbert Kirkwood, Edinburgh, deacon John Lindsay, 1617 - 1619
  
• References:
  • Burns, T. 'Old Scottish Communion Plate'. Edinburgh: R&R Clark, 1892 p 265 
• Translations:
• Related Records: