The Lacock Cup is a late medieval silver standing-cup. It was made for secular use, which makes its survival very rare, but was early in its life given to St Cyriac's Church in Lacock, Wiltshire, England, who used it as a chalice. It is now in the British Museum, where it is usually on display.
History
The cup dates from the mid-15th century and has been described as "one of the most significant pieces of secular English medieval silver".
[ Most such cups have been destroyed or were altered due to changing fashion.
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However, the Lacock Cup was donated to the church soon after creation and so it has survived in its original condition.
Sale
In 2009, with mounting financial pressure on maintaining and restoring the church's structure, the Lacock Parochial Church Council (LPCC) had the cup valued at £1.8 million.[ Local resident Geoffrey Fox legally challenged the sale, but at consistory court in December 2013, the Reverend Justin Gau said he was satisfied the circumstances of the sale were justified.]
Joint purchase
On 24 December 2013, the sale was completed by a joint bid from the British Museum and the Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, for a sum of £1.3 million which were raised through private donations as well as grant funds from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and The Art Fund.[ As part of the sale agreement, two replicas will be made: one for liturgical use at the church]
