Covered Bowl (Écuelle)

From the museum

Members of the 18th-century French social elite would participate in a lengthy ritual of washing and dressing called the toilette. Along with hair and make-up, this process, which bordered on performance, would also leave time to eat. Small, two handled bowls like this one were used for broths or soups consumed by an individual in the bedroom or boudoir. The name éceulle originates from the oak, or esculus, that was used to make early medieval bowls of a similar shape.

The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC0