Stuart Crystal Limited-Edition Royal Silver Wedding Chalice in Original Box c.1972

This is a highly sought-after chalice produced by Stuart Crystal to celebrate the silver wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1972.

The chalice is made from thick lead crystal and has a capacious cylindrical bowl. The bowl is cut with a stylised laurel wreath that contains the matte intaglio engraved royal cypher of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, surmounted by a crown, and the dates ‘1947-1972’. On the opposite side of the bowl is another cut laurel wreath which contains the engraved royal cypher of H.R.H. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, surmounted by a coronet. It also bears the same anniversary dates.

Joining each laurel panel is a band of six overlapping oval cuts that sit towards the base of the bowl. On one side is an engraved shield which is decorated with the royal coat of arms of Great Britain. Above this, it is engraved with the words ‘LOYAL GREETINGS’. On the opposite side is another shield which contains the coat of arms of the Duke of Edinburgh surmounted by the words ‘SILVER WEDDING’.

There is a discoid collar at the junction of the bowl and the short stem. There is a central flattened ball knop that has been cut around the circumference with a ring of overlapping oval cuts. There is a further discoid collar at the junction of the stem and the thickened, discoid foot.

The foot is domed in the centre and decorated with a central star cut. There are four equidistantly spaced stylised crowns cut around the edge of the foot.

The foot is marked on the edge with the words ‘STUART ENGLAND’. In addition, the piece is hand-engraved with ‘No. 71’, which is the limited edition number.

The bowl bears the original green and white paper label, which reads ‘CRYSTAL STUART ENGLAND’.

The chalice comes with the original framed certification, which states the following: ‘This Chalice is number 71 of a Limited edition of 100 and commemorates the Silver Wedding of H.M. The Queen and H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh, 20th November 1972.’ It is signed by the director of Stuart Crystal.

The chalice also comes in a large purple display case, with an ivory satin lining in the lid printed with ‘STUART CRYSTAL’ in silver. The base of the case is lined with purple velvet in an outline of the chalice so that it may sit tightly.

I am fortunate enough to own a copy of an original Stuart Crystal line-drawn pattern book, which lists this item as having pattern number ‘30444’. 

The chalice has a height of approximately 19.3cm, with a diameter across the rim of about 17.8cm and across the foot of about 11.5cm.

It has an unwrapped weight (excluding the case) of 1860g.

It is in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks. The case is also in excellent condition, with some very minor wear around the edges.