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Punch Bowl

Period1780-1810

Place MadeEngland

MediumWhite earthenware with blue-tinted lead glaze

Dimensions4.38 × 11.75 in. (11.1 × 29.8 cm)

InscribedWritten in purple on bottom "627"

ClassificationsEarthenware

Credit LineGift of J.B. Morris Jr., 1957

Object number1979.501.401

DescriptionHemispherical bowl with tall straight foot. Hand decorated in blue. On the exterior, an oriental scene consiting of a large woman in foreground and a bridge and buildings in the background in depicted. There is a large flower on the left and tree on the right. Opposite, a smaller scene with a building in the center and a flag on the extreme right. The interior is marked with "Another bowl & then" ncircled by a double scallop band. Band around rim consiting of x's and crosses with pendant crow's feet.
Curatorial RemarksThis bowl was used to serve punch. Punch was a respected drink, often considered equal to serving imported tea, since it was made from ingredients that were considered high-end at the time. A combination of rinds and juice from limes, lemons, and oranges, mixed with rum and sugar made a popular drink that was typically served at tavern events, such as men's clubs, political gatherings, or the evening's activities. The most popular flavor of punch carried strong flavors of lime, giving it the common name of "Sower Punch." Punch was served warm and by the bowl, and since the delft material used to craft the bowl was widely accessible and inexpensive, tavern keepers only kept a few in stock at any given time. This bowl is designed in the tradition of the Lambeth delft "Merry Man" plates, which is a series of 6 plates all inscribed with an amusing verse. The original six plates read, "What is a merry man / Let him do what he can / To entertain his guests / With wine and merry jests / But if his wife do frown / All merriment goes down." This style of humorous mottos continued as a trend throughout the late 18th century.

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