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Miniature porringer of unknown origin

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Author	Topic: Miniature porringer of unknown origin
agphile Posts: 798 Registered: Apr 2008	posted 08-26-2010 06:23 PM This miniature porringer (diameter of bowl roughly 1.5 inches or 4 centimeters) has no marks that might indicate the maker or the place of origin. I am wondering whether anybody can make an educated guess as to its likely date and origin simply on stylistic grounds. In England single-handled porringers normally date from the late 17th or early 18th century with bowls of between 4 and 5 inches diameter and are made with pierced handles. While the style of the initials inscribed on this miniature could fit in with that date range, the handle itself seems to me likely to be later. I am tempted to think it may be North European or Scandinavian, but with no real basis to justify that thought. English single-handled porringers are often described as bleeding bowls although I don’t believe anybody now believes they were used for that purpose. I don’t recall seeing miniature versions of them. However, miniature versions of the deeper, two-handled porringers are not uncommon – this, as an example, by James Wethered, London 1710, diameter approx 1.75 inches. IP: Logged
swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 Registered: May 2003	posted 08-26-2010 09:39 PM Could this miniature porringer actually be a British (possibly provincial) wine taster? Victor Houart illustrates three fully hallmarked single handled wine tasters of this size made in London in 1690 and 1700 by George Manjoy. The handles are not completely solid, but nearly so. The engraving is certainly like that used in England and America. There are a few published early American porringers with solid handles, and if I am not mistaken, Continental porringers are usually two handled, and letter forms usually (but not always) differ as well. IP: Logged
agphile Posts: 798 Registered: Apr 2008	posted 08-27-2010 04:13 AM Thanks Swarter. That is a thought. I had discounted England simply because I had never seen an English handle like this but I guess there could always be exceptions to any rule. If English, I would think perhaps a bit later than the examples you quote. I suppose that unless somebody has an "a-ha!" moment, or a similar marked example turns up, we may never know for certain. IP: Logged
bascall Posts: 1629 Registered: Nov 99	posted 08-27-2010 04:18 PM At or towards the other end of the spectrum size wise, Michael Clayton in his book The Collectors Dictionary of The Silver and Gold of Great Britain and North America, The World Publishing Company, New York and Cleveland, 1971 illustrates a 1675 lidded and two handled porringer on page 237, plate 33 that is titled The Winchester Porringer. It is ten inches/twenty-five and four tenths inches tall, gilt and has the maker's mark TM conjoined. From the notation with the picture, it sounds like the porringer is kept at Queen's College, Oxford. [This message has been edited by bascall (edited 08-27-2010).] IP: Logged

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