'Ohrenschüssel'

Description

From the C17 to the C19 pewter dishes and bowls of various shapes were in common use in middle class households for serving and preparing meals. The dish shown - known in German as an 'Ohrenschüssel' (ear dish) on account of its opposed, ear like volute handles - was likewise used for food. This one is unusually small. Its lid, with claw feet, can be used upside down as a plate. The 'ear dish' was especially handy for serving sick and bedridden people it was frequently also called a 'childbed dish' or 'Wochnerinnenschüssel'. This dish is identifiable by the marks on the inside of the lid and on the underside of the dish as a product of the Basle master Niklaus Uebelin 11 (1682-1756; guild member 1705). In addition, the coat of arms engraved on the top of the lid identifies its former owners as the Wettstein family of Basle.