This service was commissioned by Canon Peter Hawker (K, 1931-36) from Louis Osman (1914-1966), whose best-known work is the coronet made for the investiture of Charles III as Prince of Wales in 1969. He was also the designer of Lincoln Cathedral Treasury (opened in 1960), of which Peter Hawker was the first custodian.

All of the plates are struck with two versions of the Hawker family crest. The upper one is the traditional form, and the lower one was designed by Osman for the set. Four of the plates bear the assay mark for 1963, and two for 1965. The two later plates are substantially thicker and heavier than the others, and also differ in having a hammered surface.

The service was presented by Peter Hawker in 1994 to commemorate five generations of his family attending Winchester: J. Hawker (New Commoners, 1843); EA Hawker (A, 1874); RS Hawker (K, 1903); PC Hawker (K, 1931); JH Hawker (K, 1968) & JH Hawker (K, 1968-73).

Exhibited: ‘Treasures from the Commonwealth’, Royal Academy, 17 September – 13 November 1965, no. 548

Provenance: Commissioned by Canon Peter Hawker; given by the Hawker family, 1994