punch-bowl BM-1963-0422.15

Period:Qing dynasty Production date:1760-1770 (circa)
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, painted,
Subjects:angel cherub/cupid european
Dimensions:Diameter: 38.30 centimetres Height: 12 centimetres

Description:
‘Famille rose’ punchbowl with a portrait medallion of an English political figure. The punchbowl is decorated with bold Chinese and Western-style flowers on the outside, and inside with a portrait medallion depicting a man dressed in a red coat and yellow waistcoat. He is standing behind a table with a book and quill pen, and holds open a blue curtain. Above this medallion are two cherubs with red sashes who are blowing horns and holding a flower wreath over his head. A border of bamboo and flowers separates this decoration from four flower sprays on the sides.
IMG


Comments:Harrison-Hall and Krahl 1994:This combination of a portrait medallion and floral decoration is unusual. The figure depicted may be the controversial publisher and political campaigner John Wilkes (1727-97), who is also depicted on BM 1988.0421.1 and BM Franks. 625, and whose bust appears similarly on some of his publications (see, for example, North Briton Tracts Etc., n.d. [1762-68], pl. 272b). The cherubs are symbolizing fame.A similar portrait bust is found on English tin-glazed earthenware of the late 18th century, for example on a bowl in the British Museum (BM 1910.1122.1) which is inscribed ‘Wilkes And Liberty No. Bu* *’ and ’45’. This refers to the publication of issue no. 45 of the caustic periodical ‘North Briton’, which was regarded as libellous. An identical Chinese punchbowl is in the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, U.S.A. (Hervouet and Bruneau, 1986, no. 9.52).