Fine Quality Early 18th Century Ladle, or Dipper Cup

Code: LB14525

Dimensions:

Fine quality early 18th century ladle, probably used as the dipper cup with a wassail bowl
The cup formed from a polished coquilla nut with a rounded base, the edge with scalloped silver mount, the finely turned handle with a double knob finial also has silver mounts to the cup, the silver is not hallmarked.
English, circa 1700

33cm L, diameter of cup 4.5cm

Condition: The coquilla nut has wonderful rich colour, it has various cracks all of which have been stabilised, there is an old repair to the silver mount holding the handle.  This is a ladle of the finest quality and very unusual.

Wassail bowls were made exclusively of lignum vitae the 'tree of life', they were filled with hot alcoholic liquid comprising wine or cider, often with spices, to celebrate ceremonial occasions.  The wassail was either passed around, or larger wassails were placed on the table and a dipper cup, such as this, was used to take your share from the shared wassail bowl.