Bowls

English antique silver bowls can be found dating back to the early 1600’s. These shallow porringers, with a single pierced side handle, were made between 1625 and 1730 and are sometimes referred to as bleeding bowls. These fine collector’s items can be seen in major museum collections however they are still practical and able to be used for serving snacks and titbits such as nuts and small biscuits.

When Tea was introduced into England during the 17th century the first small bowls appeared which were Tea Bowls, circa 1680, followed by small antique silver Sugar Bowls in c.1710, the early examples often with covers. The octagonal shape is particularly prized.

Antique silver punch bowls were introduced in the late 1600’s. Food at this time was heavily spiced and a cooling drink was needed such as wine or the newly fashionable punch. Hence the requirement for a large bowl which could be filled with either a drink or ice. Some were fitted with a shaped removable rim which could be used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer and a bowl of this type is referred to as a Monteith. These large bowls are used nowadays for a variety of purposes such as fruit bowls, rose bowls, wine coolers or a beautiful flower display.

From the late 18th century onwards many different types of bowl were introduced, for a variety of purposes, in plain or decorative designs, and in a vast array of shapes and sizes.

Bowls make a fascinating collector’s theme, particularly those made by special makers such as Paul Storr, Elkington and the contemporary silversmith Gerald Benney. Bowls are not only practical but also very decorative and frequently used by interior designers to complement room settings. Of course the best place for a bowl is on the dining table where it can be used as a centrepiece, for serving food or wine, or simply for table decoration.

Bowls

From the late 18th century onwards many different types of bowl were introduced, for a variety of purposes, in plain or decorative designs, and in a vast array of shapes and sizes.

1625
Robert Profit
9989 Charles I Antique Silver Bowl
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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”).
Circa 1631
William Maddox
9605 Antique Charles I Silver Wine Taster
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A rare early 17th century sterling silver dish with applied shell side handles and scalloped rim. Unusual large size. Although quite shallow, this is more probably a wine taster than a sweetmeat dish. The embossed decoration has 10 segments containing flower motifs. The centre has a prick dot circle containing flower heads and a shield shaped cartouche with a simple coat of arms. Weight 217 grams, 6.9 troy ounces. Width across handles 25.6 cm. Diameter 19.2 cm. English silver hallmarks stamped on the edge for London. Circa 1631. Maker William Maddox.
1680
Thomas Cory
9904 Charles II Silver Bowl
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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.
1683
Samuel Hawkes
9523 Charles II Silver Wine Taster
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A rare early English two-handled wine taster in sterling silver from the reign of Charles II. With a simple plain form and wirework handles. Excellent patina and faint signs of the hand hammered finish. Owners initials inscribed underneath. Weight 27 grams, just under 1 troy ounce. Height 2.2 cm (bowl), 3.5 cm (to top of handle). Diameter of top 6.5 cm. Spread across handles 9.2 cm. London 1683. Maker’s mark “SH” within a heart shaped shield, probably Samuel Hawkes (*see David Mitchell’s book on “Silversmiths in Stuart and Elizabethan England”).
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.
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.
1697 - 1698
Robert Timbrell
10153 William III Antique Silver Bowl
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An outstanding antique silver monteith bowl complete with the original detachable collar with castellated scroll border and cherub heads. Excellent size and proportions. The body decoration is typical for a monteith of the period 1690-1702 and has a series of asymmetrical tear shaped panels interspersed with unusual foliate “face” motifs; all on an intricately hand chased matted background. The lions mask side handles are beautifully modelled. Weight 1780 grams, 57.2 troy ounces. Height 21.4cm (with Monteith collar), 15.6cm (without collar). Diameter 27.5cm (collar), 26.2cm (bowl). London 1697/8. Maker Robert Timbrell. Britannia standard silver (95.8% pure).
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.
1700
George Garthorne
9109 Antique William III Silver Bowl
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An early English silver punch bowl from the pre Queen Anne period. *Britannia standard silver. With charmingly quaint lions mask drop ring handles, the foot with a bold gadrooned border. The body decoration, typical for a monteith of the period 1690-1702, has a series of asymmetrical lobed panels intersected by spiral flutes of matted background which closely resemble cornunucopia. Weight 1200 grams, 39oz. Diameter 24.5 cm. Height 15.5 cms. London 1700. Maker George Garthorne, a specialist bowl maker.
1701
Robert Peake
7895 William III Silver Bowl
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A rare and important early English silver bowl from the pre Queen Anne period. Large size with charmingly quaint lions mask drop ring handles and the ribbed body decoration typical for this period. To the front there is a large hand engraved armorial set within a plummage scroll cartouche. Around the top there is a band of engraved leaves and fish scale chasing. Britannia standard silver*. Weight 1313 grams, 42.2 troy ounces. Height 15 cms. Diameter 27 (top) cms, 17 cms (base). London 1701. Maker Robert Peake.
1702
Richard Syng
7928 Antique Queen Anne Silver Bowl
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A rare early antique silver bowl dating from the reign of Queen Anne. Britannia standard silver*. This fine bowl has a low spreading form on a small pedestal foot with gadroon borders and fluted body. Around the top there is a decorative border with embossed motifs and fish scale. To the front of the base there is a decorative cartouche (uninscribed). Weight 645 grams, 20.7 troy ounces. Height 10.5 cms. Diameter 22.75 cms. London 1702. Maker Richard Syng, London.
1705
Benjamin Pyne
6197 Queen Anne Silver Bowl
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A rare and important early English silver bowl from the Queen Anne period. Large size with charmingly quaint lions mask side handles and the ribbed body decoration typical for this period. There is a large scroll cartouche to the front with deep chased decoration. Britannia standard silver*. Weight 1315 grams, 42.2 troy ounces. Height 16.5 cms. Diameter 27.5 cms. London 1705. Maker Benjamin Pyne.
1706
Isaac Dighton
10169 Queen Anne Antique Silver Monteith Bowl
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A rare early English silver monteith from the Queen Anne period. Large size. The decoration, with the ribbed body and decorative cartouches, is typical for this period. Particularly charming are the quaint lions mask side handles. The shaped monteith rim is fixed and was originally used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer. To the front and back there is a good hand engraved armorial for the Fitzgerald family. Underneath the bowl there is also a presentation inscription from the Fitzgerald family. Gilt interior. Weight 1895 grams, 60.9 troy ounces. Height 20cm. Diameter 29.5cm. London 1706. Maker Isaac Dighton. Britannia standard silver (95.8% pure).
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.
1707
Colin McKenzie
9550 Queen Anne Silver Punch Bowl
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A rare Scottish silver bowl of exceptional size and weight. Excellent plain style. Of circular form with a reeded rim and short flared foot. The underside has a prick engraving “S.E over F” within a scroll cartouche. Scratchweight 66.19. Weight approx. 2049 grams, 65.9 troy ozs. Height 16.5cm. Diameter 34.5cm. Edinburgh 1707. Maker Colin McKenzie. Edinburgh assay master James Penman.
1709
William Twell
6233 Queen Anne Silver Bowl by William Twell
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A fine early English silver bowl with gilt finish. Very pleasing proportions. Very simple design, typical of the period, with a semi fluted body topped by a chased band of scalloped decoration having a border of clover leaf punches to each side. To the front there is a decorative cartouche with a pretty engraved monogram. Weight 322 grams, 10.3 troy ounces. Diameter 17 cms. Height 7 cms. London 1709. Maker William Twell.
1714
Jonathan Newton
9234 Antique Queen Anne Octagonal Silver Sugar Bowl
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A rare early English silver bowl of octagonal form. Lovely plain style and heavy gauge silver. Excellent sharp lines and good size. Hand engraved to the front is an armorial within a decorative cartouche. Weight 209 grams, 4.2 troy ounces. Height 6.1 cms. Diameter 11.4 cms. London 1714. Maker Jonathan Newton.
1721

9237 George I Silver Bowl
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A charming antique silver bowl of small size. Britannia standard silver*. Very plain styling and excellent original colour. Uninscribed. The original owners initials are incised underneath. Weight 158 grams, 5 troy ounces. Height 5.7 cms. Diameter 12 cms. London 1721. Maker probably George Wickes.
1721
Matthew Lofthouse
8700 Large George II Silver Bowl by Matthew Lofthouse
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A handsome antique sterling silver punch bowl with simple plain styling and raised pedestal foot. Large size. Excellent quality and good gauge silver. Weight 1650 grams, 53 troy ounces. Height 20.5 cms. Diameter 29.3 cms. London 1727. Maker Matthew Lofthouse.
1721
John Bache
10263 George I Antique Silver Monteith Bowl
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A handsome antique silver monteith bowl with the original castellated collar mounted with little lion heads. Excellent size and proportions. The bowl design is typical for a monteith of the period 1700-1720 with its plain form on a built-up foot and the large hand engraved coat of arms. To the reverse is finely executed crest. Weight 1561 grams, 50.1 troy ounces. Height 21.4cm (with Monteith collar), 21.4cm (without collar). Diameter 27cm (collar), 25cm (bowl). London 1721. Maker John Bache. Britannia standard silver – 95.8% pure. 18^th century.
1722
Joseph Clare
8155 George I Silver Bowl
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A charming antique sterling silver bowl with an applied wire rim and raised on a spreading foot. Good size. Very plain styling and excellent original colour. To one side there is a hand engraved crest of a boar and thistle for Burleigh/Burley of Carrigfergus, County Antrim. Weight 281 grams, 9 troy oz. Height 8cm. Diameter 16.8cm. London 1722. Maker Joseph Clare I.
1726
William Darker
8488 Antique George I Octagonal Silver Sugar Bowl
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A rare early English silver sugar bowl of octagonal form. Lovely plain style and heavy gauge silver. Good colour. Weight 132 grams, 4.2 troy ounces. Height 5.5 cms. Diameter 10 cms. London 1726. Maker William Darker.
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.
1728
John Gorsuch
8618 Antique George II Silver Sugar Bowl
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A rare antique sterling silver covered sugar bowl of circular form on a small spreading foot. Excellent plain design, typical of the period. In the early 18th century sugar bowls or sugar boxes nearly always had covers which, when reversed, could be used as a saucer or spoon tray. Weight 295 grams, 9.4 troy ounces. Total height 9 cms. Bowl measures – height 6.3 cms, diameter 10.5 cms. London 1728. Maker John Gorsuch.
1734
Paul de Lamerie
10267 George II Antique Silver Dish by Paul de Lamerie
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An important antique silver second course dish by the celebrated Huguenot maker Paul de Lamerie. The plate has a generous, dished bowl with a shaped, reed and shell border. There is a hand engraved crest to the edge of the rim. Weight 981 grams, 31.5 troy ounces. Diameter 28.5cm. Height 3.8cm. Date 1734. Maker Paul de Lamerie. Sterling silver. 18^th century.
1735
Joseph Sanders
9655 George II Silver Bowl
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A large antique sterling silver bowl of plain, circular form on a spreading foot. Unusually good size for this period and suitable for bread, fruit and flowers. Excellent quality and good gauge silver. Hand engraved to the front is an armorial within a large decorative cartouche. Weight 1367 grams, 43.9 troy ounces. Height 17.2 cm. Diameter 26 cm. London 1735. Maker Joseph Sanders.
1740
John Fossey
9179 George II Silver Bowl
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A charming antique sterling silver bowl of small size. Very plain styling and excellent original colour. The original owners initials are incised underneath. Weight 179 grams, 6.6 troy ounces. Height 6.9 cms. Diameter 11 cms. London 1740. Maker Jonathan Fossey.
1741
Thomas Whipham
5443 George II Silver Bowl
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A charming antique sterling silver bowl of small size. Very plain styling and excellent original colour. Weight 205 grams, 6.6 troy ounces. Height 7.25 cms. Diameter 10.5 cms. London 1741. Maker Thomas Whipham.
1742
Louis Maystre
10351 Louis XV Antique French Silver Basin
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French provincial. A 18th century shallow bowl of oval form on a stepped foot with shaped, reeded border. Very heavy weight and good gauge silver. Weight 836g, 26.8 troy oz. Length 26.3cm. Width 6.8cm. Height 7.5cm. Nimes 1742. Maker Louis Maystre.
1748
David Hennell
9619 George II Silver Bowl
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An antique sterling silver bowl of simple form with a reeded top. Small size probably for sugar. Weight 163 grams, 5.24 troy ounces. Diameter of top 8.5 cm. Height 7.5 cm. London 1748. Maker David Hennell.
1748
Samuel Taylor
9867 George II Covered Sugar Bowl
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A rare antique sterling silver covered sugar bowl of circular form on a small spreading foot. Excellent plain design, typical of the period. Good colour. In the early 18th century sugar bowls or sugar boxes nearly always had covers which, when reversed, could be used as a saucer or spoon tray. Weight 219 grams, 7.0 troy ounces. Total height 9cm. Bowl diameter 9.7cm. London 1748. Maker probably Samuel Taylor a specialist tea caddy and sugar bowl maker.
Circa 1760

9521 Antique Spanish Silver Bowl
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An antique silver bowl of plain, tapering form having a flared lip and applied foot. Gilt interior. Small size probably a tea bowl or small sugar bowl. Weight 76 grams, 2.4 troy ounces. Height 4.5 cm. Diameter 8 cm. Stamped underneath with Spanish silver marks and an assay scrape. Barcelona circa 1760. Makers mark “P.O.T”.