Bowl or mazer (maser); France (?); ca. 1400

Root of maplewood. The bowl is carved externally with leaves and lowers, and a ring of pseudo-Arabic letters on the outside of the lid. On the inside of the lid is a griffin bordered by a circular inscription that reads VNE.FOYS.FAVLT.COMPTER. A. LOSTE. On the inside at the bottom of the bowl is a grottesque head and underneath the base a group of Samson and the Lion, surrounded by the Latin inscription IRRVIT. AUTEM. SPI[RI]TV[S] DOMINI. IN. SAMPS[ON].

Purchased for £33 - 12 - 0 from the Lecarpentier Sale, Paris, May 1866 lot 158. (Catalogue des Objets et de curiosité, tableaux anciens composant la Collection de feu M. Le Carpentier, 1866; Bois en sculpture, 158). 'Vase en racine de bois. Les grandes inscriptions sont en ancien arabe, peut-être du temps de la domination des maures en Espagne. L'interieur du couverte represente Samson terrassante la lion avec un inscription en latin sous le vase est un songe avec ces mots: VNE FOYS FAVLT COMPTER A LOSTE. (Bois sculptés. 148.)
Described at acquisition as 'French(?), 15th or early 16th century? H. 5 1/2 in. diam. 8 in.

A memo by J.C.Robinson (June 7th 1866) notes that he selected a number of lots from the Lecarpentier sale as desirable, but purchased only lots 11, 52, 53, 687, 688, 18, 156, 158, 576 as 'the objects in general have realised considerably higher prices than I had anticipated...'

An unsigned note on FWK file, dated January 1905 has 'The inscription in Arabic appears to be simulated. I cannot read anything in them.'

Circular Mazer bowl with cover in root of maple. The bowl surrounded and the outside with a zone of simulated Arabic inscription carved in relief, and also with numerous spray of flowering plants and natural leaves, underneath the foot; carved in high relief is a dragon or salamander within a ribbon scroll inscribed "une fois [sic.] compter à l'oste". The cover is also decorated with a zone of simulated Arabic characters and detached flowers and leaves, and the margin is enriched with a molding formed by two interlaced, knotted sticks. The knob a finial of the ewer bears a monogram and a device of a small dragon, and the inside of the lid is ornamented with a relief of Sampson overcoming a lion, surrounded by a ribbon scroll bearing an inscribed Latin motto - The date of the unique and curious object is apparently towards the end of the 15th or beginning of the 16th century, and the motto - in the French language, appears to indicate it to be of French origin.

Location (c. 1930) recorded as Rm 4. C 124.

This object has long been thought to be French and date from about 1400, although doubts have recently been expressed.

Mazers were made from the root of the maple tree, the knots of which gave it a characteristic 'burr' figure. They were used as drinking cups. The name comes from maserle, the French for 'maple tree'. Maple is a hard wood that does not split or shrink easily, and was used for drinking wines that would otherwise have been contaminated by gold, silver or pewter. The lid is decorated with pseudo-Arabic script, probably based on the designs found on imported Turkish textiles. The insides of both the lid and the base of the bowl are inscribed with sayings in French and Latin about drinking - about appreciating your host and taking on the strength of Sampson slaying the lion after a cupfull! The grotesque head at the bottom of the bowl is no doubt a playful addition intended to give the drinker a surprise when he had almost finished.

221-1866