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.

Originating from the mid 1600’s, 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.

Porringers & Bleeding Bowls

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.

Circa 1640

9786 German Parcel Gilt Silver Cup & Cover
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A rare and impressive antique silver standing cup and cover of baluster shape with lobed foot. Large size. The waisted, lobed body is chased with fleur-de-lys and scrolls on a finely matted background. The top has a silver vase of flowers finial. This form is typical of German Renaissance banqueting silver cups and the quality is excellent. Contains 500 ml. Weight 611 grams, 19.6 troy ounces. Height – 40 cm (total), 29.5 cm (cup). Diameter of top 10.6 cm. Stamped by the rim and on the foot with the German town mark “W” possibly Breslau. Makers mark “WO” unidentified. Circa 1640.
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.
1657
Christopher Shaw
9384 Antique Commonwealth Period Silver Porringer
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A very rare piece of early English antique silver. A sterling silver caudle cup with cast serpent shaped side handles and applied ring base. It has the more austere decoration associated with the Commonwealth period, the matted scrolls and punchwork have an appealing naivety. Superb colour. An attractive feature is the decorative base, very reminiscent of the wine tasters of this period. Weight 234 grams, 7.5 troy ounces. Diameter 11cm. Height 7.5cm. London 1657. Maker Christopher Shaw – ref. Jackson’s “Silver & Gold Marks” and Dr Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”. A very historic piece.
1660
Gilbert Shepherd
9574 Charles II Silver Porringer
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A rare early English antique silver caudle cup with cast serpent shaped side handles. Dating to the first year of the Restoration period, the cup retains the more austere decoration associated with the Commonwealth period but also has the engraved tulip decoration more typical of the Stuart period. Good colour. An attractive feature is the base decoration reminiscent of wine tasters of this period. There is a crest engraved to the front and initials and a date to the reverse. Weight 111 grams, 3.5 troy ounces. Spread 12.5cm. Diameter 8.1cm. Height 7cm. London 1660. Maker probably Gilbert Shepherd – ref. Jackson’s “Silver & Gold Marks” and Dr Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”. A very historic piece.
1661

6698 Early Charles II Silver Porringer
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An important piece of early English antique silver. A very large sized sterling silver cup with side handles crowned with faces. The hand beaten finish is typical of this early date and is very appealing. Superb colour. The body is decorated all round with deep relief flowers and foliage, very florid, as you’d expect at this date. To the front and back there is a cartouche containing a hand engraved armorial. Weight 710 grams, 22.8 troy ounces. Diameter 13.75 cms. Height 14.5 cms (15.5 cms to top of handle). London 1661. Very historic – this was made in the 2nd year of Charles II reign after the restoration of the monarchy and 5 years before the Great Fire of London. Maker IW in a shield with a pellet below (see Jacksons page 120).
1664
Henry Greenway
7486 Early Charles II Silver Porringer
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A rare piece of early English antique silver. A compact size silver cup with serpent shaped side handles. The hand beaten finish is typical of this early date and is very appealing. Superb colour. The body is decorated all round with deep relief flowers and foliage, very florid, as you’d expect at this date. Weight 274 grams, 8.8 troy ounces. Diameter 10 cms. Height 9 cms. Spread 17 cms. London 1664. Very historic – this was made in the 5th year of Charles II reign after the restoration of the monarchy and 2 years before the Great Fire of London. Maker Henry Greenway
1666
Gowen Udall
10368 Charles II Antique Silver Porringer
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A magnificent piece of early English silver. A large 2 handled antique silver cup and cover with caryatid handles; the body decorated all round with deep relief flowers and foliage typical of this early date. The hand beaten finish is very appealing. 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. The lid finial bears a large hand engraved armorial with a crest and motto; the crest is repeated to the front and reverse of the porringer body. The underside has a large presentation inscription dated 1666. Weight 603g, 19.3 troy oz. Spread across handles 20cm. Height 14.5cm (total), 11.2cm (top of handle), 10.5cm (top of body). Diameter 11.8cm. London 1666. Maker probably Gowen Udall – source David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”. Sterling silver.
1670

8345 Charles II Antique Silver Porringer
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A rare early English silver porringer having 2 side handles and belly shape. Lovely original hand beaten finish. Good gauge silver. Excellent colour. Weight 313 grams, 10 troy ounces. Height 10 cm. Diameter 11 cm. Spread 17 cm. London 1670. Maker “A.L” with stars (see Jacksons page 128) – see photo. *It’s very rare for a mark of this period to have a name associated with it.
1680
Robert Smythier
9097 Antique Charles II Silver Porringer
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A rare early English porringer with matching lid and side handles. The cup has a clean form with sharp features and rope twist borders. The body with cut card decoration, the lid with acanthus leaf design and ring handle. The front has a large hand engraved armorial and the lid has a crest. Excellent weight and colour. Weight 884 grams, 28.4 troy ounces. Height 17cm (with lid), 12cm (without lid). Spread 21.5cm. Diameter 14.5cm. London 1680. Maker Robert Smythier.
1680
Samuel Hawkes
9637 Charles II Antique Silver Porringer
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A rare early English sterling silver porringer with decorative caryatid handles. Small size. Excellent colour. The plain body has an embossed band of acanthus leaf and fish scale decoration. To the front are the prick initials “EW”. Weight 58 grams, 1.8 troy ounces. Height 5 cm, 5.5 cm to top of handle. Spread across handles 11.3 cm. Diameter 7 cm. London 1680. Marked underneath with the makers mark “SH” within a heart shaped shield, probably Samuel Hawkes (*see David Mitchell’s book on “Silversmiths in Stuart and Elizabethan England”).
1688
John Jackson
6543 James II Silver Porringer
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Absolutely stunning. A rare early English silver cup of plain form with serpent handles. Simple style with exquisite engraving to both sides. To the front there is an armorial within a tied plumage cartouche, the correct form of armorial for this date. The reverse depicts an archer and the name Charles Dakeyne Captain Aprill 23.1690. Excellent patina. Weight 130 grams, 4,1 troy ounces. Height 7.25 cms. Diameter 9 cms. Spread 14.25 cms. London 1688. Maker John Jackson (mark partially struck).
1688
Benjamin Pyne
6976 James II Porringer and Cover by Benjamin Pyne
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A rare early English sterling silver porringer with matching lid having engraved decoration of cherubs, birds, flowers etc. This chinoiserie decoration was popular over about a ten year period – it is rarely found and adds considerably to the piece. Excellent colour. This charming piece has an armorial to the front and a crest to the reverse. This porringer was sold in 1961 by the famous silver expert Mrs G.E.P How of Pickering Place, St James, London and she describes it in the accompanying paperwork (see photos) as being “of a most unusual form” .I know of only three other examples of this work”. Weight 422 grams, 13.5 troy ounces. Height 9.5 cms, 15 cms with cover. Spread 18 cms. Diameter 11.5 cms. London 1688. Maker Benjamin Pyne.
1689
John Spackman I
8876 William & Mary Antique Silver Porringer
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A rare early English sterling silver porringer with decorative shaped handles. Good size. The quality and colour is excellent. The plain body has an embossed band of acanthus leaf and fish scale decoration. To the front is a hand engraved coat of arms within a decorative plumage cartouche. Weight 521 grams, 16.75 troy ounces. Height 10.7 cms. Spread across handles 21 cms. Diameter 14 cms. London 1689. Maker John Spackman.
1689
Seth Lofthouse
9940 William & Mary Antique Chinoiserie Silver Porringer
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A fascinating and rare piece of chinoiserie silver. This early English antique sterling silver porringer, or side handled cup, is flat chased with an exuberant oriental scene incorporating Chinese people and exotic birds. The large bowl, of circular form with flared lip, is ideal for use as a drinking cup or for displaying flowers. Weight 482 grams, 14.4 troy ounces. Height 12.3cm. Diameter 14cm. Spread across the handles 21.5cm. London 1689. Maker Seth Lofthouse. Sterling silver.
1690

8610 Antique William III Porringer
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A rare early English sterling silver porringer hand engraved with the charming decoration of Chinese figures, birds, foliage etc. This chinoiserie decoration was popular over about a ten year period towards the end of the 17th century – it is rarely found and adds considerably to the piece. Excellent colour. Contains 330 ml. Weight 156 grams, 5 troy ounces. Height 7.5 cms. Spread 14.75 cms. Diameter 9 cms. London 1690. Maker TC* (see Jacksons Pickering version Page 133).
Circa 1690

9638 William & Mary Antique Silver Miniature Porringer
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A delightful little collector’s piece. A charming little antique silver cup with two side handles and the tulip decoration typical of the William & Mary period. The body has a border of hand chased fish scale and impressed tulip ornament, the base also has the tulip design within a prick dot circle. This is an exact copy of a full size original. Weight 30 grams, 1 troy ounce. Height 3.3cm, 3.6cm to top of handles. Spread 6.3cm. Diameter 4cm. Unmarked. No makers mark. English. Circa 1690.
1694
William Keate
9836 William & Mary Silver Bowl
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A large early English silver side handled porringer (or bleeding bowl) of plain circular form and distinctive bellied shape. With a shaped and pierced handle. Very charming with the original hand beaten finish. A useful serving bowl, handy for nuts and sweets. Weight 244 grams, 7.8 troy ounces. Diameter 12.7cm. Height 5cm. Spread 19.7cm. London 1694. Maker William Keate (also known as William Keatt). Sterling silver.
1695

8592 Antique William III Silver Porringer
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A rare early English sterling silver porringer with matching lid and having the half flute decoration popular from the reign of William and Mary. The quality and colour is excellent. Hand hammered finish. A nice feature is the band of fish scale chasing and flower with lobe decoration on the body, repeated on the lid. Weight 699 grams, 22.4 troy ounces. Height 16.5 cms (11 cms without lid), Spread across handles 21 cms. Diameter 13.5 cms. London 1695. Maker IC (Jacksons page 137)*.
1696
Thomas Jenkins
9781 William III Silver Bowl
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An early English silver side handled porringer (or bleeding bowl) of plain circular form. Very charming with the original hand beaten finish. The shaped and pierced handle has initials hand engraved to the centre. A useful serving bowl, handy for nuts and sweets. Weight 285 grams, 9.1 troy ounces. Diameter 12.8 cm. Height 9.8 cm. Spread 14.5 cm. London 1696. Maker “TI two escallops between”* attributed to Thomas Jenkins (see Jackson’s “Silver & Gold Marks” and David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”). Sterling silver.
1698
Isaac Dighton
9002 William III Silver Porringer
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A rare early English sterling silver porringer with matching lid. The half flute decoration, popular from the reign of William and Mary, is accompanied by fish scale ornament and borders of hand engraving. Good size and weight. The quality and colour is excellent. To the front and back is a large decorative cartouche (uninscribed). Weight 929 grams, 29.8 troy ounces. Height 23 cms (15 cms without lid), Spread across handles 25 cms. Diameter 15 cms. London 1698. Maker Isaac Dighton.
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.
1704
Thomas Parr
9570 Antique Queen Anne Silver Porringer
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A fine antique silver porringer with bands of ribbing and bright cut engraving. Britannia standard silver. Good size. Hand engraved to the front within a decorative cartouche is the name Patience Larcombe with a vase of flowers and date 1709. Very good condition and patina. Weight 358 grams, 11.1 troy ounces. Height 12 cm. Diameter 13.5 cm. Spread 21 cm. London 1704. Maker Thomas Parr.
1706
Daniel Sleamaker
9276 Queen Anne Silver 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. Owners initials hand engraved to the handle. Weight 125 grams, 4 troy ounces. Diameter 10.8 cm. Height 4.5 cm. Spread 16.8 cm. London 1706. Maker Daniel Sleamaker.
1708
William Fleming
9443 Antique Miniature Silver Porringer
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A delightful little collector’s piece. A charming little antique silver cup with two side handles and the typical half ribbed decoration of the Queen Anne period. The body has a border of fish scale and engraved flower ornament. It looks like an exact copy of a full size original. Weight 19 grams, less than 1 troy ounce. Height 3.3cm. Spread 7.5cm. Diameter 4.5cm. London 1708. Maker William Fleming.
1714
William Fleming
9046 Antique Queen Anne Silver Porringer
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A charming antique silver porringer with simple strapwork side handles. Typical decoration of the period with half ribbed embossed body and coopered ring of gadrooning. There are simple bands of bright cut engraving and to the front a large decorative cartouche containing owner’s initials. Britannia standard silver. Excellent patina. Weight 113 grams, 3.6 troy ounces. Height 7.4 cms. Spread 15 cms. Diameter 8.5 cms. London 1714. Maker William Fleming. With a presentation box.
1716
Nathaniel Lock
9059 Antique George I Silver Porringer
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An attractive antique silver porringer with simple strapwork side handles. Typical decoration of the period with half ribbed embossed body and coopered ring of gadrooning. There are simple bands of bright cut engraving and to the front a large decorative cartouche . Uninscribed. *Britannia standard silver. Excellent patina. Weight 143 grams, 4.5 troy ounces. Height 8.4 cms. Spread 15 cms. Diameter 9.3 cms. London 1716. Maker Nathaniel Lock.
1727
Thomas Tearle
10237 George II Antique Silver Bowl
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An attractive antique silver 2 handled cup (or porringer) with bands of ribbing and bright cut engraving. Useful neat size. Weight 62 grams, 2 troy ounces. Height 6.7 cm. Diameter 8 cm. Spread 12.5 cm. London 1727. Maker Thomas Tearle. Sterling silver.
1899
Pairpoint Brothers
9248 Antique Charles II Style Silver Porringer and Lid
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An excellent copy of an old English lidded porringer in sterling silver. Decorated to the main body and lid with typical Stuart period decoration, it has large embossed and engraved flowers, a lion to one side and a unicorn to the other. To each side is a scroll handle topped with a cherub’s head. Weight 772 grams, 24.8 troy ounces. Height 16 cm (to top of lid finial), 12 cm (to top of handle). Diameter 13 cm. Spread 21 cm. London 1899. Maker Pairpoint Brothers.
1912
Robert Frederick Fox
9235 Antique Silver Porringer and Lid
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A good size sterling silver bowl and cover in the late 17th century chinoiserie style. Engraved with a charming decoration of birds and foliage. Good gauge silver. Weight 569 grams, 18.2 troy ounces. Height 15 cm (to top of finial), 10.5 (top of body). Spread across handles 19.5 cm. Diameter of bowl 12.7 cms. Both pieces hallmarked London 1912. Maker Robert Frederick Fox.
1920

9081 Antique Silver Porringer and Lid
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A good size sterling silver tureen and cover in the Charles II style. Beautifully chased with large fruits and foliage to both body and lid. Good gauge silver. Weight 599 grams, 19.2 troy ounces. Height 14 cms (to top of finial),11.4 (top of body). Spread across handles 21 cms. Diameter of bowl 10.8 cms. Both pieces hallmarked London 1920. Maker not listed.