Description:
English delft punch bowl decorated in blue with a brown-red rim decorated with eight fish: the well has a fish in a circle, and the interior walls have four large fish with scrolling tails, two of which look like flounders, and three small fish. Michael Archer suggests that the purpose of painting fish on the inside of punch bowls is revealed by a circa 1780 creamware bowl, which has the inscription "Keep me swimming" - presumably in punch. This fish motif was produced by all the delft pottery centers, and was a very popular design in the American colonies. The exterior is decorated with a continuous chinoiserie landscape. A woman, who is wearing a bowl-like hat, looks over her right shoulder while holding a fishing pole in her right hand and pointing forward with her left hand. She is flanked by a bird perched on a rock behind her and another chasing an insect in front of her; the scene continues with a grassy landscape, flowering foliage, a willow tree, running fence, two low buildings - one with a tall tower, and flying birds overhead. Previously restored, needs conservation.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+57.089 |
