These Blantyre Communion cups are old! Dating from either 1613-1615 or 1619-1621, they are 400 years old, making them one of the oldest surviving hand made items from Blantyre’s history, if not the oldest.

The latter date is the most likely , meaning next year in 2019, they will be 400 years old exactly. Unfortunately, the practice of dating silver with a punchmark was not around until nearer the end of the 17th Century.

The silversmith was Gibert Kirkwoode but there is a punchmark of Edinburgh Deacon James Denniston. They’re made of solid silver and being quite plain in appearance, they reflect fashion and tastes of the puritan era. They’re in remarkably fine condition and are actually the second oldest known communion cups in this country! The cups are stored safely away from Blantyre and are only brought out by Blantyre Old Parish Church for very special occasions.

From “Blantyre Explained” by Paul Veverka

Featuring Blantyre Project Social Media with permission. Strictly not for use by others on or offline, our visitors said,

Lesley Bethel Beautiful cups,and fantastic to think they’re still in use

Marian Maguire They are so beautiful, thank goodness they are under lock and key.

Anne Ellis Took these to the bank many a time. The oldest cups are in Fyvie but Blantyre Olds are the oldest still used. This is if they are still used at communion. So much has changed now. My dad was always very particular at communion hence the stainned glass window depicting the communion