Charles I Antique Silver Bowl

Object Description

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”).
Sterling silver.

Marks. Stamped under the rim with a full set of English silver hallmarks. The date letter “h” is only partially stamped.

ROBERT PROFIT
Robert Profit, London silversmith, apprenticed to Henry Watson 1586, turned over to Leonard Stanley, free by service 1595. During his working career Robert bound 3 apprentices, three of whom became free by service.

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Object Literature

These shallow bowls are often described as porringers. It’s probably more likely that they were used as a vessel for eating from, especially for feeding the sick, rather than for letting blood. This type of porringer with one ear will either be hallmarked around the rim, or in the centre of the base, either underneath or on the interior. The first examples were straight sided and had a simple rim but as the 17th century progressed the form became more bulbous and topped by a thin narrow band at the rim.

Object Condition

In very good condition. Excellent colour. Small fault line where the handle meets the body.

Object Details