S/5267 Antique Treen 19th Century Sycamore Butter Bowl (Mealey Beg)

A good sycamore butter bowl, or as known in the Isle of Man, a mealey beg. The larger ones were for taking butter to market, and the smaller ones, as in this instance, were used by fishermen or shepherds. The latter when they were in high pastures in summer, where they would bury the bowl in peat scrub or stones to keep it cool (ref: Treen and other Wooden Bygones by Edward H. Pinto on page 99). The lid has a raised knob handle which is more unusual. The whole has a pleasing colour and patination.

Sold 4½ in. (11.5 cm.) High
5 in. (12.5 cm.) Diameter English Circa 1830