MAKER'S MARK A DEVICE IN A SHIELD BETWEEN INCUSE LETTERS N AND G IN REVERSE, PROBABLY FOR NICHOLAS GORSTON (OR GOSTON) OF NOTTINGHAM, CIRCA 1570

Nicholas Goston is mentioned working in Nottingham in 1546 and his very distinctive mark is found on several pieces in the environs of Nottingham and also Derbyshire and Leicestershire. Several communion cups are recorded, such as those in the churches of Broughton, Kneeton, Maplebeck, Syerston and West Marham. Sydney Jeavons in The Church Plate of Nottingham, 1965, p.10, describes Gorston's style as 'more sturdy than graceful' while adding that he 'was a most colourful character'. Indeed in 1542 he was accused in Nottingham of trying to pass brass as silver and the following year was convicted of selling 'ill stuff' for which he was fined and imprisoned for a short period.

The Reverend Andrew Trollope in his Inventory of the Church Plate of Leicestershire, Leicester, 1890 records three further cups by Gorston in the churches at Wyordby, Goadby and Walton-le-Wolds. He illustrates them with line drawings and sketches of the marks. The Fallow cup offered here is closest in form and ornament to the Walton-le Wolds cup op. cit., p. 306, pl. XXI, whilst the cup at Goadby is similarly marked with reversed initials, op. cit., p. 231, pl. XV., both illustrated here.