This bowl is known as the ‘Walsingham Bowl’.
An associated box bears an inscription which reads : ‘The bason inclosed herein, was given by Queen Elizabeth, when she stood, Godmother, to my great grandfather Walsingham and was given to me by my Aunt, ye Lady Osborne, (granddaughter to ye said Walsingham) as being the only male heir of ye family left, so that my children may be christened in it, as all her family were before. 1731.’
The bowl was inherited in 1842, by Isabella Poyntz, wife of Brownlow, 2nd Marquess of Exeter (1795-1867), having passed to her mother through inheritance.
Today it continues to be used for family christenings.
Sir Francis Drake sailed from England in December 1577, commissioned by Queen Elizabeth to raid Spanish shipping and settlements in the Americas.
Before returning home, he sheltered in the natural harbour of a bay on the California coast to effect repairs on his ship.
Modern excavations of the area have revealed shards of porcelain that bear decoration very similar to that on this bowl.
It seems entirely possible that Drake brought back ceramics looted from a Spanish vessel, or vessels, that had been trading in the Far East, including perhaps, this bowl, which he would have presented to the Queen on his triumphant return.
