Revolutionary War era heavy pewter Barber’s Bowl, ca. 1730 – 1780 (ON HOLD,MW)

This is another rare and unique piece being offered, it is an 18^th century Barber’s Shaving Bowl. It is made of pewter measuring 11 ¼” x 8 ¾” and weighs 1 pound, 9 ounces.  

A barber's bowl was once an essential tool for a barber shaving his customers. It has a shallow basin with a broad rim. A semicircular opening in the rim allows it to fit closely against the neck of the person being shaved, permitting his chin to reach over the bowl.

They also doubled as bleeding bowls, the cut-away fitting into the crook of the elbow (the most common place for blood-letting). Barbers in the 18th Century undertook minor surgery and dentistry and many of them travelled round the country as itinerant physicians. Bloodletting was common during the Revolutionary War, even into the Civil War.

The bleeder or [fleam] was used to pierce the skin to release “bad blood”. Many surgeons continued the practice of bloodletting, simply because they had no other answer for treating the wounded or ill soldier. It can safely be said that this practice never benefited the patient and, in many cases, did more harm by causing infection. (On my site I also have a bleeder available).

Not so much in the Civil War, but during the Revolutionary War most officers and men were clean shaven. General Washington was deeply concerned about grooming in camp. His orders contained strict guidelines to keep soldiers short-haired and clean-shaven. This was not just to improve the professional appearance of the army; it was to prevent the spread of lice.