Lot Essay
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Owen Evan-Thomas, Domestic Utensils of Wood, Stobart Davies, Hertford 1973. Chapter II, similar examples illustrated plates 6 and 11.
Edward H. Pinto, Treen and other Wooden Bygones, Bell & Hyman, London 1969. Pages 48-52.
For comparative examples Sotheby's W.J. Shepherd Collection of Treen, 30 November 1983, lot 557. Christie's Great Rooms, Fine English Furniture, 10 July 1986, lot 17.
Wassailing is a term used to describe festive communal drinking, and wassail bowls have been long associated with the Christmas festivities. The word wassail derives from the Anglo-Saxon term 'waes-hael', 'was-haile' or wass-heil' , meaning good health. Recipies vary for the punch imbibed from these vessels, according to local custom. The basis was usually fine ale or wine, with a variety of spices. Egg white was also added, thus forming a froth, giving rise to the name 'lambs wool' for the concoction.
Owen Evan-Thomas, Domestic Utensils of Wood, Stobart Davies, Hertford 1973. Chapter II, similar examples illustrated plates 6 and 11.
Edward H. Pinto, Treen and other Wooden Bygones, Bell & Hyman, London 1969. Pages 48-52.
For comparative examples Sotheby's W.J. Shepherd Collection of Treen, 30 November 1983, lot 557. Christie's Great Rooms, Fine English Furniture, 10 July 1986, lot 17.
Wassailing is a term used to describe festive communal drinking, and wassail bowls have been long associated with the Christmas festivities. The word wassail derives from the Anglo-Saxon term 'waes-hael', 'was-haile' or wass-heil' , meaning good health. Recipies vary for the punch imbibed from these vessels, according to local custom. The basis was usually fine ale or wine, with a variety of spices. Egg white was also added, thus forming a froth, giving rise to the name 'lambs wool' for the concoction.