Mushroom* Mead bowl, Mazer, Feasting cup, Relic?

[Joecoins]

Hi everyone
Hope your all making the best of this summer
Thought some of you might like having a look at my most recent treasure.
I think its special...
Anybody else?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[Joecoins]

More photos of size.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[Joecoins]

Swirl on bottom of one handle is completely worn down

 

[Joecoins]

The acid mark

 

[Red-Coat]

OK I see mushrooms too now, but in the stylised forms popularly used as motifs in Art Nouveau design and decoration... on everything from wallpaper to furniture, but with no connection to any functional use associated with mushrooms.

 

[Joecoins]

Well. I now see. The mushrooms. And the bear paws. And bee wings. All associated with honey. Wich was the main sweetener and was used for fermenting beverages for thousands of years until sugar became widespread in 1600's
And the assosiaction with honey for bee wings (the handles) is obvious . the mushrooms; grow in and around the rotting trees the bees make theyre hive in. And the honey preserves mushrooms. And bears lead the way to the honey. And leave the mark of their claw on the trees. As for functional use. Ceremonial, christmass holiday use? Perhaps mushrooms and other spice were chewed. And spit into the bowl and allowed to ferment before use. Perhaps this fermentation even lessened the poisonous effects of psychoactive mushrooms. The concoction could be drank by the beserkers...

 

[Joecoins]

Mead bowl in norse mythology. Many versions of the norse myths. Seem like they could be allegories loosely based on mushrooms. Such as freya beign killed and reborn 3 times. And the mead of peotry that makes you wise. And even thors chariot horses left mushrooms in the trail of theyre saliva.

 

[ARC]

Joe... is this the item you msg'd me about ?

If so... IMO... Sugar bowl.

Similar to this...



More precisely...

"open footed sugar bowl".

"open" meaning = no lid.

Hope this helps.

 

[Joecoins]

Thank you AARC.
Your opinion is always very useful and appreciated.
Your probably correct that it is a sugar bowl. , Looking at similar open footed sugar bowls-They do look like mine In shape. Much more than a censer. Wich most i have seen have 3 legs.
I am still very happy to have a peice that looks like it is decorated with mushrooms. I think its rather unique still. Any estimates on the age of the bowl?

And i just had this though... Sugar bowls, before there was wide spread use of sugar... Maybe called or used as. * Honey Bowl *

 

[Joecoins]

Or a Honey Pot.
I have seen and own an old sugar bowl. They are usually taller and have a lid.
Perhaps this "Honey pot" and similar ones is wider and shorter for some functional reason associated with preparing or preserving honey or preserving perishables in honey.

This is just a random theory, concerning the difference in sugar bowls. Anyone can feel free to interject. Or give me a lesson on evolution of sugar bowls feel free.

 

[Joecoins]

Maybe there is mushrooms because it was used to store or make ; "Mad" Honey (or mad honey brew..). Wich aparently is a real thing. Used in wars. Used recreationaly. And naturaly occuring.

 

[Joecoins]

I realize this thing is not pewter. It it has no dents or pit marks. Or atleast not typical pewter. I am thinking it may actualy be silver. I had a specific gravity test done. And it gave out 5.5-5.7 , but i now realize the handles are hollow. And that probably means a specific gravity test is no good. The person who looked at it today also said its not pewter. I will take it to my local jewler for his opinion also. Who ever did the acid test it in the past. Tested it on a solder joint..
Today i went to the same thrift store aswell and found some actual pewter. Please tell me if it may be good. I think so aswel and i will keep everyone updated about the bowl i have sent an email to the pewter society aswell as others.
...photos of goblet later in new post. Not enough phone battery now..

 

[Joecoins]

You know what the handles probably are solid and not hollow after all. Perhaps the specific gravity at 5.5-5.7 was correct

 

[Joecoins]

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_300019

 

[Joecoins]

Britannia metal, ca 1830

 

[Joecoins]

1806 - start of the partnership - Dixon and Smith in Silver Street, as manufacturers of Britannia metal goods and dealers in cutlery etc. - the first articles made were shoe buckles, spoons cast in sand (not buffed) - later made beakers, tobacco and snuff boxes, coffee, sugar and cream jugs or boxes

https://pdf4pro.com/view/more-marks-and-history-of-james-dixons-amp-sons-taken-5b1a2f.html

Founders grandson worked in philadelphia. About 1830.

Sugar bowls made when first opened. My peice is not hallmarked. How old can it be
Seems by 1822 stuff leaving would have is mark..

 

[Joecoins]

Dixon: dating Britannia Metal (pewter) marks

Pretty darn shure my peice must be pre 1830, anybody agree or disagree?