Lot Essay
The engraved inscription EX DONO THOMAE ROCKE GEN: ANNO 1684 on the lip of the present pair of flagons relates to their 1684 gift to the Church of All Stains in Closworth, Somerset. Established in the 13th century, the church stands today as a Grade II listed building. While little is known of their 17th century benefactor, Thomas Roche (Rocke or Rock), an 1893 biography of Somerset and Dorset families notes “There are some curious Communion vessels in Closworth Church, Delftware edged with silver presented in the early part of the last century by Thomas Rock and Richard Rock. The former was a wealthy Proctor of Doctors’ Commons, London, and the latter was Town Clerk of Wells, in which Cathedral there is a slab to his memory” (Weaver & Mayo, 1893, pp. 164-165). Richard, presumably the brother of Thomas, is not named as a donor in the engraved dedication on the present, however a gilt communion cup with maker’s mark I.S. pellet below and dated 1685, and inscribed Ex Dono Thomas Rocke & Richd Rocke Generos Ano Dom. 1686 is recorded in a late 19th century inventory of the church’s plate (Bates, 1893, p. 219).