Bowl with cover (Écuelle)

An écuelle is a lidded bowl with two handles, often provided with a matching saucer or stand, used for serving hot broth or bouillon. During the late seventeenth and eighteenth century, broth was taken during the morning toilette but also offered to new mothers, as well as to the sick and bed-ridden to regain their strength. For that reason, écuelles were intended for private use in the bedroom rather than in the dining room.



Made in Paris in 1769-70, this silver-gilt écuelle entered the collections as part of a traveling set in a japanned box (26.260.111), together with its stand or plateau (26.260.81) on which bread could be placed.



Other items in the set which is believed to have been combined at a later date include a cup with handle and a saucer (26.260.78, .79, a beaker (26.260.80), and a knife, fork and spoon (26.260.82–.84) The serving items were made by Jacques-Pierre Marteau; the cutlery was made by Nicolas Collier.