Rare 18Thc English Tavern Leather Ale Vessel C.1760

The very scarce and interesting burnished leather ale vessel of studded near circular form with wooden base, the seam forming a pouring spout, and formerly of Aspley House, Aspley Guise, Buckinghamshire, England.

Condition is fine, with the leather having taken on a beautiful honest patina, with the wooden base and seams to the spout all in fine fettle. We have refrained from adding any oil to nourish the leather though this could be carried out.

This pouring vessel would have been housed in a tavern underneath a beer barrel tap, gathering drips and spillages from the barrel, it was then used to pour out of to clients or back into the barrel, but most likely into the big leather bombard used to serve around the inn or tavern.

During the 18th century, Colonial society held three common beliefs about beer drinking; drinking beer was healthier than drinking water, beer and its ingredients were a healthy supplement to the entire family’s diet and it was an accepted way to promote social discourse. As the 18th century progressed, taverns became a fixture in colonial communities as the place to be. Taverns were the place to socialise, discuss the news and politics of the day, and enjoy a drink or two. It is far more common to see tankards, glass ale glasses and wooden ale bowls than this leather example. Other forms of vessels included peg tankards, mugs, copper boot shaped vesels and occasionally horns. Leather vessels like bombards and blackjacks were commonly used for drinking ale, particularly in institutions like colleges and hospitals but they had handles. These vessels were made by stitching together wet leather and allowing it to dry, sometimes with a pitch or tar coating to ensure water tightness.

The vessel was sold as lot number 8 by Bonhams in the Aspley House sale on Tuesday 12th October 1999, being catalogued as ‘a rare 18th century leather ale vessel, with a wooden base £300-400’. The lot sticker remains on the base.

Aspley House in Aspley Guise is a notable Grade II* listed building, known as a small country house, originally built around 1690 for William Norcliffe. It was later reworked in the 1740s and has seen modifications over time, including a significant reworking in the early 20th century. The house is located on Bedford Road and is known for its architectural style, which is considered to be in the manner of Sir Christopher Wren. The house was sold by auction in March 1939 and for a while during WW2 it was used as a school until reverting to use as a private home by 1951. Today the house is owned by Lord Wolfson, the current chief Executive of Next plc, on 18th June 2010, Wolfson was created Baron Wolfson of Aspley Guise. The house has had a history of ‘socially eminent’ owners.

A scarce survivor and a wonderfully tactile object with a traceable past; “Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” – Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanack