An engraved inscription records that this egg cup was presented to the Reverend John Stopes in 1623/4 by the parishioners of St Mary Magdalen in Old Fish Street, City of London. The surmounting figure of Minerva formerly held a banner engraved with the Magdalen and bearing the additional inscription The 4 of october 1577 Mr James Stopes came to be our parson. The banner was still in place at the time of the 1924 sale and was described in the sale catalogue; it had become detached before the cup entered the Royal Collection. James Stopes was rector of St Mary Magdalen from 1577 until his death in 1624. James's son John, ordained priest in 1608/09, initially assisted as curate but in 1621 he became rector of Crowell, Oxfordshire. St Mary Magdalen was destroyed in the Great Fire of London and was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren. The affection felt for John Stopes by his father's congregation is perhaps indicated by the exceptional quality of this cup. It belongs to a small group of objects all struck with the maker's mark known as the trefoil slipped. This goldsmith, who was active from about 1570 to 1630, produced work that is noteworthy for its chasing and stamped decoration. He appears to have specialised in applying mounts to highly prized exotic materials such as ostrich eggs, mother-of-pearl and alabaster. The quality of the mounts, together with the close similarity between the maker's mark and those used in Ghent and Bruges, may indicate a Flemish goldsmith working in London. This rare survival of pre-Civil War secular plate was presented to Her Majesty The Queen by the American branch of the English-Speaking Union to mark her Coronation in 1953. London hallmark for 1623-4 and maker's mark the trefoil slipped; engraved on the rim of the bowl This Cupp was given to Mr John Stopes our parsonns sonne by the Parishioners of the Parish of St Mary Magdalenes In or neere Olde Fishstreete London for his paines takinge / with vs by his often preaching with vs hoping that he will so friendly accept it as we most franckly and willing meane it The firste day of January 1623 Catalogue entry from Royal Treasures, A Golden Jubilee Celebration, London 2002