Archaeology — Late Medieval; 15th century
Bowl
This bowl is made from jet brought to London from the Whitby area of Yorkshire. Despite its everyday form, the bowl was regarded as special in some way. It would have been an expensive item, since lumps of jet this size are relatively rare. This bowl is the only medieval jet vessel found so far. Jet was believed to have special powers and was particularly associated with childbirth. Liquid drunk from the bowl was thought to ease labour pains: such relief would have been very welcome in an age before modern anaesthetics.
- Category:
- Archaeology
- Object ID:
- TL74[368]<2746>
- Object name:
- bowl
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Late Medieval; 15th century
- Material:
jet
- Measurements/duration:
- DM 130 mm, H 27 mm, WT160.35g (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Archaeological archive
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact theLondon Museum Picture Library.