Topic: Love in a golden bowl

[chilternhills]

I bought this bowl not knowing anything about it. I was intrigued by the inscription. I discovered it comes from a poem, The Book of Thel, by William Blake dated 1789.

Does the Eagle know what is in the pit?
Or wilt thou go ask the Mole:
Can Wisdom be put in a silver rod?
Or Love in a golden bowl?

I guess this bowl was made to give to a loved one, perhaps for an engagement, wedding, or anniversary. But actually the line "Love in a golden bowl" is not referring to romantic love. I leave that to you to investigate.

The bowl is 16 cm in diameter, 7 cm high, and is quite heavy for its size. There is a scrolled handle. In the centre the letters spell the word LOVE in fancy script. The letters around the rim and base of the bowl are engraved and infilled with gold. In the base most of the gilding for the word LOVE has worn away.

The attached foot has a smoothed out pontil mark and otherwise has almost no wear, which confused me somewhat. I cannot say whether the bowl is old or new. The bowl is not entirely smooth; there is a distinct ridge around the outside of the bowl about half way down. Whether the bowl was made in a mould or not I don't know.

Can anyone shed some light on who made this bowl and when it was made? Thanks.

Anton

[glassobsessed]

You have not mentioned the signature, a clear photo would help.

John

[chilternhills]

Thanks John for pointing that out. I had missed the signature. It is extremely faint. I attach a couple of pictures. It;s the best I can do. The second word is 'Glass' but I can't make out the first word. Perhaps the first letter is an I.

I also add a close up of the fancy lettering to show the gold infilling of the engraving.

[chopin-liszt]

Some talc or cinnamon rubbed over the signature would help bring it up.

[glassobsessed]

Twists?

[chopin-liszt]

I don't think Mike Hunter does a surface decor using that plaster of paris type of underline with gold on top. But I bet he'd give it a go if somebody asked him.
All my bits just have sticky labels on though. No signatures for comparing.

[chilternhills]

I agree with Sue that the bowl does not appear to be Mike Hunter's style. But you never know with one-offs, which I suspect this is.

By the way, there seems to be no plaster of Paris underline. The whitish appearance of the fancy lettering is just engraving cut through the amber surface colour to the clear underneath.The gold seems to be applied straight into the grooves.

[bat20]

Does the celery type handle point to a date ?

[chopin-liszt]

They are fairly common and widespread over both time and space.

[flying free]

Really interesting reading interpretations of the meaning of the poem.  I wonder if a silvered glass rod was also made with 'Wisdom in a silver rod'engraved on it as part of a sculptural set?

Lovely and interesting piece - great find.

The shape (although much bigger than the usual) reminds me of those American small bowls called 'nappies' I think ?

m