A Porringer in England in its’
early life was a Caudle Cup in America. Just as a two-handled
Bleeding Bowl in some European countries was a porringer with
one handle in America. The original use for this item has
been a source of wide speculation. However, the American Porringer
was most likely used for serving porridge to young children
and invalids.
The Porringer has a raised body with a cast, applied
handle. It first appeared in America in the 1650’s with
a very elaborately shaped handle. The handle then became quite
plain with the "three-hole" design in the 1690’s.
By 1720 the earliest of the "key hole" handles appears.
This handle continues to predominate with subtle changes in
the handle pattern.
For the most part, the body of
a porringer has a bottom that is not quite flat with a small
step to the center. The sides are slightly bulbous with a
caulked edge. A few porringers can be found with lids but
they are most uncommon.
Pap Boats, sometimes called,
invalid feeders had a small, elongated body with a spout or
lip, usually flat bottomed, but also found on a ring foot
and with or without a handle.
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Porringer by WILLIAM SWAN
Boston, c. 1770
8 1/8” long over the handle;
5 3/8” diameter
8 ozs. 10 dwts.
Porringer with a Key Hole Handle and a stepped base. The handle with the contemporary block initials “L/D*B” on the front and the mark “W. SWAN” in a shaped cartouche on the back.
price upon request |
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