The exceptionally rare circular fluted dish, sold at auction two years ago, has 18 sides and is one of only two recorded examples of its kind in England.
It bears the coat of arms of Sir Francis and his second wife Dame Margaret Fleming and dates from 1664, the year of their marriage in Westminster Abbey. It was probably a wedding present and perhaps also a celebration of their recovery from recent illness, as their marriage certificate mentions that both were recently dangerously ill.
The dish bears the coat of arms of Sir Thomas Fleming of Stoneham, Margaret's previous husband, to the rear, an unusual feature demonstrating that she was an exceedingly well-connected heiress.
The 77oz dish has the maker's mark AF, possibly for the London goldsmith Anthony Ficketts, and is in excellent condition.
It descended through the Fleming family until the 19th century when it was acquired by a private collection, where it resided until it sold at Christie's in 2004 to an overseas buyer. Following the purchase, Arts Minister Estelle Morris placed a temporary export ban following a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art.
The dish was deemed of national importance both for its association with Sir Francis (he was knighted by Charles II in 1661, two years before he famously cured Queen Catherine of typhus in 1663) and its form that shows the stylistic influences from Portugal on silver produced by a leading London goldsmith in the first decade of Charles II's reign.
The export deferral enabled purchase offers to be made at the market price of £192,000. The RCP acquired it with the help of a £42,000 grant from the NHMF and donations from friends and Fellows of the College.
The RCP's Prujean collection, on display in the late Stuart Gallery in the Museum of London, consists of Sir Francis's surgical instruments and a portrait of him. Most of the 17th century silver once owned by the college was stolen when it was deserted during the Great Plague in 1665, so the dish is a very welcome addition.
The collection can be viewed by appointment from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
Contact 020 7224 1539.
• An evening lecture on Prujean and 17th century silver by expert Philippa Glanville takes place at the College on Monday April 3 at 6.30pm. Email: heritage@rcplondon.ac.uk
