{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O78656"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O78656/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM6816/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM6816/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AM6816","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O78656/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O78656","accessionNumber":"M.97-1984","objectType":"Christening cup","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"<b>Object Type</b><br>Gifts of silver were often given to mark rites of passage, such as marriage, retirement or christening. The custom of a christening gift may have begun in the Tudor period (1485-1603). Silver spoons were a popular present, hence the saying 'born with a silver spoon in the mouth'. In 1661 the diarist Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) gave a set of silver spoons as a christening gift to a child in his family. Cups and porringers (small, two-handled bowls) could also be given as christening presents.<br><br> <b>Time</b><br>By the 19th century the standard gift for a christening was a set of cutlery, a cup or a mug. Manufacturers' catalogues from the later part of the century show boxed sets of cutlery with a cup, mug or egg cup. These could cost over £12 depending on the number of pieces and the richness of the decoration.<br><br><b>Manufacturer</b><br>Barnard & Sons was one of the largest and most successful manufacturing silversmiths in London in the 19th century. They supplied retailers throughout England with good-quality silver and also exported to such countries as America and India.","physicalDescription":"","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Barnard & Sons","id":"A9039"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"AAT251917"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silver","id":"AAT11029"},{"text":"gold","id":"AAT11021"}],"techniques":[{"text":"raising","id":"AAT237068"},{"text":"gilding","id":"AAT53789"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silver gilt, beaded and engraved","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"},{"text":"Ceremonial objects","id":"THES48981"},{"text":"Silver","id":"THES251836"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AM6816"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"125B (VA)","id":"THES49893"},"free":"","case":"CA1","shelf":"","box":"3"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Christening Cup","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1868-1869","earliest":"1868-05-29","latest":"1869-05-28"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"14.2","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"6.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"base","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Dimensions checked: measured; 04/01/1999 by sf","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Inscribed: 'Nesta Mary Platt from her GODFATHER'","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":"A8877"},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"Made by Barnard & Sons, London","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Christening cup, silver-gilt, London hallmarks for 1868-69, mark of Barnard & Sons.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"British Galleries:\nThis christening cup is a fine example of the kind of commemorative gift that was often given by a relative at a child's christening. The silver-gilt goblet is decorated with beading and engraved ivy leaves, signifying eternal life.","date":{"text":"27/03/2003","earliest":"2003-03-27","latest":"2003-03-27"}}],"partNumbers":["M.97-1984"],"accessionNumberNum":"97","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1984,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LP4465","2019LT9507"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-12","recordCreationDate":"2003-03-27","availableToBook":false}}