A LARGE CHARLES II LIGNUM VITAE WASSAIL BOWL

A LARGE CHARLES II LIGNUM VITAE WASSAIL BOWL

C.1680

the body turned with reeded bands, with engraved initials 'D E', on a conforming circular foot

26cm high, 23.3cm diameter

Provenance

The Simon Castle Collection of Treen.

Literature

The current lot is illustrated in the Illustrated History of Antiques, general editor Huon Mallalieu, p.257.

Catalogue Note
A legacy of Anglo-Saxon culture, wassailing ceremonies traditionally occurred on important feast days, especially Twelfth Night. The term 'wassail' itself derives from the Anglo-Saxon 'waes hael', meaning 'good health'. This expression of well-wishing was exchanged as the wassail bowl was passed round the table for guests to share its contents of mulled ale. The bowl had become, by the Stuart period, a significant status symbol and grew greatly in size during the 17th century, thanks to the adoption of lignum vitae as a turnery wood around 1660. With its large hardwood core and its particular durability, this timber revealed itself ideal for making large drinking vessels, especially as its sap was also considered to have healing properties. The pinnacle in this production is arguably epitomised by Post-Restoration wassail bowls, such as the example offered here. Recent examples of this date sold in these rooms include lot 14, 4th October 2017, which fetched £14,000 hammer, as well as lot 101, 6th July 2021, which achieved £8,500 hammer and lot 392, 4^th & 5^th October 2023 which fetched £28,000.