Punch Bowl
MakerMade by
Unknown
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
MediumWheel-thrown Chinese export porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x diameter): 6 1/8 x 14 3/4in. (15.6 x 37.5cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour
Object number1945.1.1313
DescriptionLarge, Chinese export porcelain punch bowl with hand-painted underglaze cobalt blue decoration showing a Chinese landscape; the punch bowl is a type of Chinese export porcelain known as Nankingware. The central landscape decorating the interior of the bowl shows a series of trees and structures on islands surrounded by a river. A small figure walks across a bridge in the foreground. The central landscape inside the bowl is surrounded by concentric borders. The first is a field of white covering much of the inside walls of the bowl. This is surrounded by a "Nanking" border, consisting of a series of alternating thick and thin lines with a pattern of dots crossing the thicker lines. The "Nanking" border is surrounded by a band of blue with darker lines creating a diamond pattern inside. The outside of the punch bowl has extended views of similar scenes of the Chinese landscape. Above this landscape, at the rim of the outside of the punch bowl, is a blue border consisting of a band of blue with darker lines creating a diamond pattern inside. At three points, this border is interrupted by an area of white containing a wavy line and various geometric patterns (perhaps inspired by the Eight Taoist Immortals and their symbols). Imperfections in the porcelain appear as black dots on the surface of the punch bowl.
Status
Not on view
