An extremely rare Irish Mether

An extremely rare Irish Mether Possibly 14th or 15th century and probably made from willow, the vessel of characteristic shape originally with four rectangular section pierced handles, the tapering square rim shaping to a round base, with inset recessed base panel, the outside of the mether showing some minor signs of simple decoration, 18cm high, 18cm wide, 18cm deep Footnotes: Little is known about Irish methers or 'maeddhers' which play a part in Irish folklore and it is extremely difficult to date examples or even to be certain of what they are made from. Generally speaking early examples are all largely considered to pre-date 1600. the word itself is thought to have derived from the drink 'medd' or 'mead'. The drink itself included herbs like rosemary, hissop and thyme before being boiled with honey. Whilst labour intensive to make it is thought that they served both a decorative and ceremonial role. The question of how they were used to drink out of has been hotly contested -most likely via the angled corners and the handles were used to pass the cup easily. Examples can be found in the Dublin Museum and Cambridge. Owen Thomas cites one of the best examples which was found preserved in a peat bog in Donegal. This particular example is illustrated in Owen Evan-Thomas' book Domestic Utensils of Wood on page 51, with text on page 34. This sale is accompanied with copies of a October 1945 letter from A.H.Isher and Son, Cheltenham Antique Dealers encouraging Dr Thompson to buy this piece, (as well as the Elizabethan roundels, item 1 on the receipt) also explaining how Mr Evan-Thomas had the pieces gassed by The British Museum to kill the woodworm. On the underside is a small label numbering the item as 620 from the Evan-Thomas collection. It is interesting to note that the Owen Evan Thomas book was first published in 1932, so it is likely it was in his collection in the 30s. In fact, the reference on the receipt of 1945 P.50, pl 20 top shelf B, indicates that it was definitely in Thomas Evans' collection in 1932. There is a footnote in Owen Thomas about how a 'good number ' of methers were imported from Ireland to the south west of England and used in pubs and taverns. Perhaps, this applied to ours example because in the letter of Oct 1945, Fisher says how Owen Thomas 'Spent 40 odd years or more gathering these things together, and in those days they could be found although not easily..but today they only turn up when a collection comes on the market...' Possibly Thomas Evans acquired the mether on his travels throughout the UK in the 1920s and 30s. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing