Large Chinese Export Famille Rose Punch Bowl with Floral Swags, Qianlong c. 1775

A large Chinese punch bowl in famille rose colours of pink, green, purple and iron red with touches of gilding. The outside of the bowl features garlands of flowers and posies. Around the rim is a pink diaper pattern, broken up by four cartouches with a purple design. The inside of the rim continues the theme with diaper curtains, floral garlands and ribbons. In the centre is a posy of flowers. A husk chain encircles the unmarked foot.

The bowl has a hairline crack and some rubbing to the rim. Otherwise it is in good condition with only minor wear to the enamels and no chips.

This punch bowl was made for export to Europe and as such is unsigned. It features the famille rose colours made popular after 1720. The floral motifs derive from Meissen and Sèvres porcelain. Alcoholic punch was popular amongst the growing middle classes during the middle and end of the eighteenth century. It sat between beer and the wine, port and brandy that marked out the tables of the gentry. In line with its modest level of refinement, the bowls for serving punch were generally made of decorated china and earthenware.