Punch Bowl

Dateca. 1745

MediumStoneware, salt-glazed, white

DimensionsH: 7 1/4"; D: 10 5/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1956-150

DescriptionPunch bowl: Large white slip cast salt-glazed punch bowl with nearly hemispherically shaped bowl on short pedestal above wide spreading base. The exterior of the bowl is divided into 14 vertical panels separated by single ribs. All panels are in sharp relief. Seven panels (alternating with various scenes) bear armored male figures representing the Seven Champions of Christendom and are labeled: 1) St DENIS: FRANCE, 2) ST. IAMES: Spain, 3) St. ANTONY: ITA/YL, 4) St. ANDREW: SCOT/DNAL, 5) St. PATRICK: IREL/DNA, 6) St. DAVID: WALES, 7) St. GEORE: ENGLA/dn. All but " St. Geore" show figures bearing swords vertically in their right hands and holding the tops of shields in their left hands with a stance showing a frontal view with the weight on both feet. "St. Geore" holds a spear diagonally across his (frontal view) body with the point aiming downward at the mouth of the dragon on which he stands. All seven figures are flanked to the left with an acron and a rose branch and with a flowering branch to the right. The lower portion of each of these panels are decorated with relief war ships with full rigging but no sails. The other seven panels (beginning with the one to the right of St. Denis include: 1) a house with 3 gables and 3 men in a window above a goat above a young bird, 2) a man in full armor with upraised sword by a church dome and over a man with a staff and winged hat (mercury? or Hermes) and 3 birds, 3) a large beehive on an ornate stand with 3 bees and over a ship similar to those under the "champions" panels, 4) a Chinese garden scene over an exotic bird perched on an acron branch, 5) top of #1 repeated over 2 birds amid stylized foliage, 6) top of 3 repeated over bottom of #5 repeated, 7) small oriental garden (with church tower) over 2 men walking with staffs over small ship similar to those under the "champios". A finely ribbed band borders the rim of the bowl and the base of the pedestal. A one inch wide relief band of alternating leaf and plant motifs encircle the foot.

Exhibition(s)