Presented by the Chairman of Art Fund to the Mayor of Plymouth, in recognition of the courage and fortitude shown by the citizens during enemy action by air-raids in the Second World War.
It depicts the terrestrial globe, engraved with a map of the world; the land is in gilt, the seas with its sailing vessels, whales and dolphins in silver and the names of the continents, islands and seas are engraved in Latin. The cover is surmounted by a vase on which there is a skeleton celestial globe.
By tradition, this magnificent cup was given to Drake by Queen Elisabeth I in 1579 upon his return from circumnavigating the Globe in the Golden Hind. But there is another tradition claiming that it was Drake who gave it to the Queen in 1582.
More information
Title of artwork, date
The Drake Cup, c1571
Date supported
1942
Medium and material
Silver gilt
Dimensions
52 cm
Grant
2100
Total cost
2100
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