This cup forms part of a group of twenty-eight similar cups, covers and bowls accepted by Pinto, op.cit.,p.35. It is likely that it was acquired by Mr and Mrs Dent-Brocklehurst in London in the 1930's at a time when Owen Evan-Thomas was studying the field. It is therefore very probable that this is the single cup dated 1621 given by Pinto,op.cit.,p.35.

Despite considerable interest in these cups since the late 19th Century little evidence for their use has come forward, with few exceptions, the cups bear the arms of James I flanked by the crests of two or more English families. It has been suggested that those on the present cup are the families of Diby, Lisle and Pembroke. The three crests on the present cup are among those that appear most often throughout the group, Pinto, op.cit.,p.37 suggests that the cups identify the members of a club along the lines of the late 17th Century Honourable Society of Little Bedlam whose members were identified by their crests. Against this theory is the fact that none of the James I cups have been connected to or remain at houses connected with the coats-of-arms.

The present lot lacks the religious inscription that is a feture of most others. These inscriptions provide little specific information. No print or manuscript source is obvius. Although the lettering is of high and consistent quality the textual execution is crude. No detailed study of the texts from all the cups has been made and without this it would be pure luck to find a source other than biblical. The cup then in the collection of Sir Gerald Ryan and discussed, Clifford Smith, op.cit.,p.4 has a rending of the 1st Psalm around the rim. A bowl from the group, illustrated by Evan-Thomas,op.cit.,pl.14, was sold in these Rooms, 8 December 1987, lot 43.
We are grateful to Charles Burnett Esq., and to Hilton Kelliher Esq., for their help in preparing this catalogue entry.