3-011-626 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Loan Collection, South-Kensington, 1862. 'The "Dunvegan Cup," a cup or "mether" of yew, square above and rounded from the centre downwards, covered with silver mounts gilt and nielloed, decorated with repoussé and filigree work, standing on four rudely-formed representations of human legs, covered with silver, the shoes nielloed; round the mouth is a rim of silver 2in. deep, on the outside of which is engraved an inscription in black letter, which has been read as follows by Mr. Eugene Curry: "Katherina ingen in Neill (O'Neill's daughter) uxor Johannis Mcguighir (Mac Guire) principis dc Firmanac (Fermanagh) me fieri fecit, anno Domini 1493. Oculi omnium in te spectant (sperent) Domine, et tu das escam illorum in tempere opportune." This latter part is the fifteenth verse of the 144th Psalm. This date refers doubtless to the mounting, as the wooden inclosed cup may be probably much older. Within the silver rim, on each side, is the sacred monogram I.H.S. Irish work. This cup has been in the possession of the MacLeod family from so early a period that no record of its acquisition exists. MacLeod of MacLeod'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.