waxantiques

Porringers & Bleeding Bowls

In the past, people from all levels of society took their food in forms unfamiliar today. Everyday nourishment depended heavily on eggs, milk, oats and grains. Ale, sack mead, wine, spices, sultanas and sugar were added for flavor. The gruel, porridge, potage (soup), caudle and other sloppy warm mixtures were partially drunk and partially eaten with a spoon. They were served in 2 handled cups, often with a cover to keep it warm.

Browse our collection of specialist silver porringers and bleeding bowls. An excellent range of early silver examples for the collector which are ideal for practical use and make a perfect gift.

Silver Porringers are two handled bowls and some have a cover. They can also be known as caudle cups although the origin of the porringer was for porridge and the caudle cup was for a type of broth. From the eighteenth century onwards, porringers and cups and covers were used mainly as centrepieces or ornaments. In recent times they have seen a resurgence in popularity for drinking and on the dining table. They make a very attractive baby gift.

Silver Bleeding Bowls may have been used for medical purposes however many people think that these shallow bowls were more likely to have been eating vessels, especially for feeding the sick. Nowadays they make useful serving bowls which are handy for nuts and sweets. The first examples were straight sided and had a simple rim but as the 17th century progressed the form became more bulbous and topped by a thin narrow band at the rim.

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Porringers & Bleeding Bowls

In the past, people from all levels of society took their food in forms unfamiliar today. Everyday nourishment depended heavily on eggs, milk, oats and grains. Ale, sack mead, wine, spices, sultanas and sugar were added for flavor. The gruel, porridge, potage (soup), caudle and other sloppy warm mixtures were partially drunk and partially eaten with a spoon. They were served in 2 handled cups, often with a cover to keep it warm.

Browse our collection of specialist silver porringers and bleeding bowls. An excellent range of early silver examples for the collector which are ideal for practical use and make a perfect gift.

Silver Porringers are two handled bowls and some have a cover. They can also be known as caudle cups although the origin of the porringer was for porridge and the caudle cup was for a type of broth. From the eighteenth century onwards, porringers and cups and covers were used mainly as centrepieces or ornaments. In recent times they have seen a resurgence in popularity for drinking and on the dining table. They make a very attractive baby gift.

Silver Bleeding Bowls may have been used for medical purposes however many people think that these shallow bowls were more likely to have been eating vessels, especially for feeding the sick. Nowadays they make useful serving bowls which are handy for nuts and sweets. The first examples were straight sided and had a simple rim but as the 17th century progressed the form became more bulbous and topped by a thin narrow band at the rim.

  • 1625

    Robert Profit

    9989 Charles I Antique Silver Bowl

    £5,950

    An extremely early date. A rare antique silver porringer (or bleeding bowl) of plain circular form. The straight sided shape with a simple rim is the earliest type and in keeping with the early date. Small proportions and very charming with the original hand beaten finish. A useful serving bowl, handy for nuts and sweets. Prick marked on the edge of the rim with the initials “MC”. Weight 108 grams, 3.4 troy ounces. Diameter 10.3cm. Height 3.5 cm. Spread 14cm. London 1625. Maker “RP” possibly Robert Profit (David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”).

  • 1649

    Daniel Gee

    10113 Commonwealth Period Antique Silver Cup

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    An important piece of early English antique silver dating back to 1649, the year of King Charles I’s execution. This twin handled silver cup, with shaped side handles and spreading circular foot, is possibly a very early example of a porringer, or caudle cup. The body has a hand chased band of decoration at the top with matted roundels and punched motifs below; this more sombre decoration is associated particularly with the Commonwealth period. Superb colour. An attractive feature is the beaded and segmented decoration to the base, very reminiscent of wine tasters of this period. Hand engraved to the front are the initials “MB” surrounded by stars. Weight 286 grams, 9.1 troy ounces. Height 11.6cm. Spread across handles 16cm. Diameter 11.5cm (top), 8.6cm (base). London 1649. Maker “DG” with an anchor for Daniel Gee (*see David Mitchell’s book on “Silversmiths in Stuart and Elizabethan England”). Sterling silver.

  • 1662

    Edward Treen

    10339 Charles II Antique Silver Porringer

    £2,950

    A very early English twin handled silver cup with cast serpent form side handles. This little porringer (or caudle cup) combines some of the austere decoration associated with the Commonwealth period with the addition of hand engraved flowers marking the transition into the joyful Restoration period of Charles II. Superb colour. An attractive feature is the decorative base, very reminiscent of sweetmeat dishes of this period. Contains 250ml. Weight 113 grams, 3.6 troy ounces. Diameter 7.7 cm. Height 7cm (to top of handle). London 1662. Maker Edward Treen, specialist cup, porringer and sweetmeat dish maker. Sterling silver.

  • 1673

     

    8394 Charles II Silver Porringer

    £1,750

    A rare early English silver porringer of small size having 2 side handles and belly shape. Lovely original hand beaten finish. Weight 69 grams, 2.2 troy ounces. Height 5.5 cms. Diameter 6 cms. London 1673. Maker IC* listed in Jacksons.

  • 1675

    Simon Romney

    8739 Antique Charles II Silver Porringer

    £7,500

    A rare piece of early English silver. A large 2 handled antique silver porringer of plain form. The matching cover has a capstan shaped finial so that the lid can be turned upside down and used on its own as a saucer. This has the form of a typical early Restoration porringer, with bellied shape and the lid sitting over the upper rim. There is a small silver support either side next to the handle for the lid to sit on. Hand engraved to the front, and repeated on the cover, are the arms and crest for the Yong family of Medhurst, Sussex. Weight 375 grams, 12 troy ounces. Height 14 cm (total), 10 cm (cup), 4.5 cm (lid). Diameter 10 cm. Spread across the handles 17 cm. London 1675. Makers mark “SR”* in a shield (there are 2 similar marks in Jacksons, see page 124 and 129, bottom of the page), probably Simon Romney.

  • 1680

    Thomas Cory

    9904 Charles II Silver Bowl

    £2,850

    An early English silver side handled porringer (or bleeding bowl) of plain circular form and shallow bellied shape. Small proportions and very charming with the original hand beaten finish. A useful serving bowl, handy for nuts and sweets.The handle is prick marked “I*C 1681 M”. Weight 104 grams, 3.3 troy ounces. Diameter 10.4cm. Height 3.6 cm. Spread 15.4cm. London 1680. Maker Thomas Cory. Sterling silver.

  • 1698

    John Smithsend

    10338 Antique William III Silver Bleeding Bowl

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    An early English silver side handled porringer or bleeding bowl of plain circular form. Britannia standard silver*. Very charming with the shaped pierced handle and original hand beaten finish. Hand engraved to the front is an armorial within plumage feathers, typical of the period, and there is a crest to the handle. Weight 253 grams, 8.1 troy ounces. Diameter 13.5 cm. Height 5.4 cm. Spread 20.5 cm. London 1698. Maker John Smithsend. Britannia standard silver 95.8% pure.

  • 1717

    Thomas Parr

    9930 George I Silver Porringer

    £1,950

    A fine antique silver porringer with bands of ribbing to the lower body and a broad rope twist band above. Britannia standard silver*. Good size. Hand engraved to the front within an expansive embossed cartouche, typical of the Queen Anne period, is an armorial crest of a lion. Excellent patina. Contains 930ml. Weight 436 grams, 14 troy ounces. Height 13.8cm. Diameter 13cm. Spread 20.5 cm. London 1717. Maker Thomas Parr.

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