Exceptional Early Twin Handled Ceremonial Kasa

Exceptional Early Twin Handled Ceremonial Kasa
With Stylised Dragon and Horse Head Double Loop Handles
Dug Out and Hand Carved Solid Birch Wood
c1680, Bearing Painted Later Date '1803'
Norwegian c. 1680

A quite remarkable early example with exceptional Provenance to one of the foremost twentieth century collections of treen and early wooden objects. This elegant and noble vessel has origins of form and purpose in the Viking tradition. Drinking vessels of this type were used on ceremonial occasions as “loving cups” and were passed around the long tables, person to person for each to drink the health and happiness of the bridal couple or to the future. There are pegs down the inside spine of the bowl that indicate how much each guest should take as their draught or portion. Treasured as heirlooms in families where they served for several generations and toasted many weddings, they are prized for their history, tradition and almost spiritual qualities. This example is dug out and hand carved from a single block of solid birchwood and bears traces of some historic painted decoration along with a richly patinated of surface of graet integrity. It has double loop carved handles in the form of stylized horses and dragons, with delightfully sensitive carved details. This is one of the most interesting examples to come to the market in a generation and comes with the most distinguished provenance.

9” high x 15 ¼” wide x 7 ½” deep

Provenance: The WJ Shepherd Collection, bearing printed collection label inscribed in pen and ink 'WJS 01942'; The Tom Perkins Collection, Plumpton Place, East Sussex.

Literature: Comparative Literature; Per Gaerder, 'Norske Drikkekar Av Tre': Published by Universitetsfirlaget 1974. Page 252, Fig 386 illustrates a similar shaped Kasa of classic early navette form derived from the Viking Tradition, this example also bears a later date of '1824'.

Ref: 6381