Mazer (drinking vessel)

The Scottish Bute Mazer, with an unusually fine boss with a reclining lion and heraldry in the centre of the bowl. 1314–1327.[1]
The Bute Mazer's whale-bone cover, c. 1500
Mazer, maplewood with silver-gilt mounts, made around 1380. The boss is engraved with the sacred monogram "IHC" [Jesus]. The mounts are engraved, 'Hold yowre tunge and say ye best and let yowre neyzbore sitte in rest hoe so lustyye God to plese let hys neyzbore lyve in ese' (Hold your tongue and say the best / And let your neighbour sit in rest / He is so eager to please God / He lets his neighbour live in ease).[2] Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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A mazer is a special type of wooden drinking vessel, a wide cup or shallow bowl without handles, with a broad flat foot and a knob or boss in the centre of the inside, known technically as the "print" or "boss". Mazers vary from simple pieces all in wood to those ornamented with metalwork, often in silver or silver-gilt. They use dense impervious woods such as maple ("mazer" is an obsolete name for the maple tree), beech and walnut.[3] They represent a north European medieval tradition, and mostly date from the 11th (or earlier) to the 16th centuries.[4]

  1. ^ Glenn, 36
  2. ^ "Mazer". Metalwork. Victoria and Albert Museum. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
  3. ^ Taylor, 78
  4. ^ Campbell