An important pair of Charles I silver communion chalices. Edinburgh 1645, with hallmarks for make

An important pair of Charles I silver communion chalices. Edinburgh 1645, with hallmarks for maker Patrick Borthwick and Deacon Adam Lamb, the eight inch diameter bowls decorated to exterior of rim with a quarter inch band of engraved lines to simulate ermine, also engraved below 'For The Kirke Of Haddingtovne 1645', set on a hexagonal columns with central raised and engraved knop flanked by reeded decoration, with circular trumpet foot supports and chased decoration, weight 62oz 9in (23cm) high. * Provenance - Purchased 1973 from Sotheby's London. . These chalices are listed on page 234 of the book - Old Scottish Communion Plate by The Reverend Thomas Burns, published in 1892.. It states that they bear a strong resemblance to 'The Tolbooth Cups'. The Haddington chalices would have been used at large church assemblies for the drinking of port wine, and for congregation in St Martins Kirk, Haddington, which still exists, but sadly only as a ruin.. The columns of the chalices unscrew from the bowls, which would have made transportation and concealment more convenient.. The Haddington Kirk is all that remains of an original 12th century building, known to be one of the oldest surviving churches in Scotland.. St Martins formed part of the original Cistercian Abbey that was founded by Ada, the daughter of King David I in 1178.