It is believed that this ewer and basin, which bear the mark of the prominent London goldsmith Symon Owen, were made for Henry Frederick, prince of Wales (1594–1612) and eldest son of James I of England. While ewers and their accompanying basins were originally intended for the washing of hands at the dining table, they were also employed as part of lavish displays of silver on sideboards or buffets in princely or aristocratic houses.
