Pouring Bowl

[Granmaa]

A peculiar bowl made in 1898. A diameter of 13cm. It has no handle or lid. What is it for, I wonder.

Miles

[MCB]

Hello Miles,

As a pouring bowl of some sort the unadorned piece seems rather utilitarian for its time. The apparently gilded interior would then suggest the practical purpose of preventing tarnish by contents rather than for embellishment. A medicinal use perhaps?

Is there any clue as to purpose in the name of the manufacturer?

Regards,
Mike

[Granmaa]

Hi Mike,

No gilding on the interior, and the makers are Hukin and Heath (if I remember) who made a large range of objects. It isn't comfortable to hold with one hand either round the side or from the bottom.
Very confusing.

Miles

[MCB]

Hello again Miles,

So the gold colour of the interior is just a trick of the light.

As far as I know H & H were not specialist makers. They did of course have a reputation for high quality design starting with Dr Dresser so the awkwardness in the handling of this bowl is surprising.

Just a thought is whether the spout is a later alteration, the bowl starting life as one which wouldn't be picked up and poured from. Hopefully not.

Regards,
Mike

[Granmaa]

Hi Mike,

Alteration was my first thought, but if so it has been done incredibly well. There really are no signs.

Miles

[lanilauren]

The simplicity of the object is a clue, it makes me think it is something used in the kitchen, for cooking, not for serving. Could it be a measuring cup? Does it contain exactly a cup or half-cup?

However, why use silver to make an item for cooking?

[JLDoggett]

If I can add some possibilities:

A. The spout could be a later addition, the edge banding would be expected to go around the spout if origional. Thought there are exceptions, it looks to be a very narrow spout for so hearty a bowl.

B. The flat bottom and utilitarian sytling says to me it was made for regular use, but why silver when so many other metals would be as useful yet far less expensive.

C. I suspect medicinal use. Something was mixed in this and poured into a fairly narrow necked bottle. Another possible use would be to transport a loaded hypodermic needle of that period.

I would lean to pharmaceutical use. Silver would be excelent for mixing many chemical substances without re-action and the spout would ease pouring the contents into a medicine bottle.

[AG2012]

Whatever it is - most probably pharmacy - adding the spout is too demanding task;the piece is genuine without later alteration.