Wassail Set
1640-1680 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This is the bowl from a set made for serving wassail or spiced ale. Other wassail bowls and cups survive, but only this set has a table and candlestands to match. The bowl and cups are in a style made over a long period, but could date from the 1640s.
Historical Associations
The set was owned by one family for generations before it was bought by the V&A in 1976. Family tradition claims that Charles I gave it to Sir Charles Cokayne, 1st Viscount Cullen, after the Civil War battle at Naseby in 1645. Although the battle did take place near Cokayne's house, Rushton Hall, Northamptonshire, the style of the furniture suggests that this story could only apply to the bowl and cups. The table and stands must have been added later, in the 1670s, when spirally turned supports were fashionable.
Materials & Making
The set is made of lignum vitae, a dense wood imported from the West Indies. It was often used for wassail bowls as its high oil content makes it resistant to liquids. It also takes incised decoration well. Both the wood and the ivory, which provides a strong contrast, are decorated with 'rose engine turning', in which delicate circular patterns are incised into the material while it is spun on a lathe.
This is the bowl from a set made for serving wassail or spiced ale. Other wassail bowls and cups survive, but only this set has a table and candlestands to match. The bowl and cups are in a style made over a long period, but could date from the 1640s.
Historical Associations
The set was owned by one family for generations before it was bought by the V&A in 1976. Family tradition claims that Charles I gave it to Sir Charles Cokayne, 1st Viscount Cullen, after the Civil War battle at Naseby in 1645. Although the battle did take place near Cokayne's house, Rushton Hall, Northamptonshire, the style of the furniture suggests that this story could only apply to the bowl and cups. The table and stands must have been added later, in the 1670s, when spirally turned supports were fashionable.
Materials & Making
The set is made of lignum vitae, a dense wood imported from the West Indies. It was often used for wassail bowls as its high oil content makes it resistant to liquids. It also takes incised decoration well. Both the wood and the ivory, which provides a strong contrast, are decorated with 'rose engine turning', in which delicate circular patterns are incised into the material while it is spun on a lathe.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 12 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Lignum vitae, with ivory decoration |
| Brief description | Wassail set, lignum vitae with ivory decoration, England, ca. 1640-80, Rushton House, Northants |
| Physical description | Wassail table, lignum vitae with ivory decoration, enriched with “rose engine turning”. Wassail bowl with lids, lignum vitae, with ivory decoration. Wassail dippers, lignum vitae, with silver rim. Wassail candlestands, lignum vitae with ivory decoration. Wassail candlestick, lignum vitae with ivory decoration. |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | This unique ceremonial drinking ensemble is said to have been presented to Sir Charles Cokayne, first Viscount Cullen, by Charles I after the battle of Naseby in 1645. (Dating casts doubt on this tradition). Close inspection of the engine-turned rose ornament shows that two separate craftsmen were involved. The candlestands and table were probably added to make up a set with the wassail bowl and candlesticks in about 1670-80 "Royal Wassail ensemble" table & vessels purchased from Spink & Son Ltd Notes from R.P. 76/666 8/3/76 Memo P Thornton to the Director recommends purchase. "It is a very attractive work of exquisite craftsmanship, it has fascinating associations with several fields of English history". Well documented provenance, publications list & detals of some restorations detailed in Thornton memo (copy on RP) 14/4/76 Lord Cullen to Thornton in response to a previous query that there are no records available in the Family collection. "Had there been I am quite sure that my grandfather G E Cokayne (the author of the Complete Peerage) would have discovered them - I suppose it is possible that there may be some record of the gift to my ancestor by Charles I in the royal archives". Per 29/4/77 Thornton memo re. tax rebates Spinks advertised the set and also showed it at the Antique Dealers Fair after it was bought by the V & A |
| Summary | Object Type This is the bowl from a set made for serving wassail or spiced ale. Other wassail bowls and cups survive, but only this set has a table and candlestands to match. The bowl and cups are in a style made over a long period, but could date from the 1640s. Historical Associations The set was owned by one family for generations before it was bought by the V&A in 1976. Family tradition claims that Charles I gave it to Sir Charles Cokayne, 1st Viscount Cullen, after the Civil War battle at Naseby in 1645. Although the battle did take place near Cokayne's house, Rushton Hall, Northamptonshire, the style of the furniture suggests that this story could only apply to the bowl and cups. The table and stands must have been added later, in the 1670s, when spirally turned supports were fashionable. Materials & Making The set is made of lignum vitae, a dense wood imported from the West Indies. It was often used for wassail bowls as its high oil content makes it resistant to liquids. It also takes incised decoration well. Both the wood and the ivory, which provides a strong contrast, are decorated with 'rose engine turning', in which delicate circular patterns are incised into the material while it is spun on a lathe. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.8 to k-1976 |
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| Record created | November 21, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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