Description
The pottery wassail bowl is glazed in yellow over a thin white slip profusely decorated in scraffito with musical scores and notations.
The substantially sized bowl has two tiers of handles totaling 25, applied in a spectacular writhing fashion.
Wassail bowls were traditionally used in Wales and England when groups of probably well-imbibed revelers visited dwellings wishing good fortune and health for Christmas and the new year.
The collective social nature of this tradition is highlighted by the numerous handles applied. This bowl unusually decorated signifies the importance of music and the singing tradition of the Welsh.
The ancient tradition carol is given below:-
“Here we come a-wassailing,”
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green;
Here we come a-wand’ring
So fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too;
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year.
Our wassail cup is made
Of the rosemary tree,
And so is your beer
Of the best barley.
We are not daily beggars
That beg from door to door;
But we are neighbours’ children,
Whom you have seen before.
Call up the butler of this house,
Put on his golden ring.
Let him bring us up a glass of beer,
And better we shall sing.
We have got a little purse
Of stretching leather skin;
We want a little of your money
To line it well within.
Bring us out a table
And spread it with a cloth;
Bring us out a mouldy cheese,
And some of your Christmas loaf.
God bless the master of this house
Likewise the mistress too,
And all the little children
That round the table go.
Good master and good mistress,
While you’re sitting by the fire,
Pray think of us poor children
Who are wandering in the mire.