James II Bleeding Bowl, 1686
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Bleeding Bowl - Single Openwork Handle - London 1686 by PM between two stars - 19cm wide (incl. handle); 13.2cm diameter; 3.8cm high; 204g - EA/1566
This is an excellent example of a silver bleeding bowl dating from the short reign of King James II. This good-sized bowl takes the usual form with a single open-work handle which is engraved with original ownership initials "WB" to the top and has a single lion passant stamp to the underside. The bowl is fully hallmarked with the maker's mark "PM" between two stars (see Jacksons page 138, 2nd from bottom entry) and is in fine original condition.
Bleeding bowls were used to collect blood during bloodletting – this was a practice once carried out to treat a wide range of diseases and medical conditions.
