Wassail Bowl, Duff House

3D ModelNoAI

This is a turned wassail bowl with decorations from Duff House.

The ancient New Year practice of ‘wassailing’ was practiced in England, Scotland and Wales. Parties progressed from house to house with greetings for the health and prosperity of the inhabitants, which were acknowledged by communal drinking out of a Wassail bowl.

Although the drink differed from region to region, it usually contained a mixture of spiced ale, wine or cider. The term ‘wassail’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon ‘waes-hael’, which was the equivalent of the drinking toast ‘good health’ today.

Wassail bowls can be ceramic or wood. Some are very elaborate, like this example in the Dunimarle Collection. The weight of this bowl and decorations on the rim may indicate that it had more of a decorative function.

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h 279.4mm

RAE Project | DC334