Late 17th-Century Antique Pewter Lavabo Set / Washing Set, Attributed to Nuremberg, Germany, c.1678

A rare and complete German pewter lavabo set — comprising a lidded ewer and matching hand-washing basin — attributable to Nuremberg, circa 1678.

The ewer stands 11 inches in height, the body of cylindrical form tapering to a triple-reeded foot ring, with a domed lid, faceted finial, and a bifurcated thumbpiece characteristic of South German pewter production of the later seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The scroll handle retains its original lower terminal. A beak spout confirms the hand-washing rather than drinking function of the vessel.

The basin measures 15 inches in diameter, the broad flat rim enclosed within beaded borders, the well centred by a raised boss of approximately 5 inches diameter, designed to locate and display the ewer — the defining feature of the lavabo basin form, distinguishing it from the simple charger or dish. The reverse of the basin retains struck marks to the bouge: an imperial eagle town mark consistent with Nuremberg attribution, a quality or date punch, and a maker's mark in the form of crossed tools within a shield.

Engraved around the rim in a clear contemporary hand, an inscription records the piece as a dowry gift: LORENTZ / touchmarks / RECKWARES TOCHTER ANNA — "1678" Lorentz to Anna, daughter of the Reckware family - "1678"  The practice of presenting lavabo sets as betrothal or dowry gifts was well established among the German burgher class; such inscriptions transform an already significant object into a document of social history, preserving the names of its first owners across three centuries.

Nuremberg was the pre-eminent centre of German pewter production throughout this period, its wares distributed widely across the German-speaking world and beyond. The quality of casting and the crispness of the beaded borders here are consistent with the output of the city's regulated guild workshops.

An exceptional survival: a matched set, intact, marked, inscribed and dated.

Provenance: Nuremberg, Germany. 17th-Century, circa 1678.

Material: Pewter

Condition: consistent with age and use; surface oxidation throughout; no splits or repairs noted to the jug. The outer rim of the basin has a slight split - please refer to the images.

Dimensions: Ewer height 11 inches (28 cm); basin diameter 15 inches (38 cm); boss diameter approximately 5 inches (13 cm).