What-is-it question CI.

[2209patrick]

These two sterling silver British pieces are from the 16th century.
The one the left is 4.72 inches (12 cm.) high.
The one on the right is 7.09 inches (18 cm.) high.

What are they called?
What were they used for?



Pat.
.

[2209patrick]

Here's a clue:
Although they did serve a purpose with dining, they did not hold sugar, salt, pepper or any kind of food.

The records of the Royal Jewel House suggest that they were a fashionable type of gift during the reign of Henry VIII (1509-1548).

Pat.
.

[wev]

scented water for the hands?
.

[2209patrick]

Very well done Wev.

It's called a "casting bottle".
It was used for sprinkling scented water (often rose water) over the hands at the end of a meal.

Here's another one at the Gilbert Collection:
http://www.gilbert-collection.org.uk/th ... col01.html

Pat.
.

[wev]

given the bathing habits of the day, I would have used a bucket
.