Punch bowl

The bowl is complete, with a few chips on the rim. The bowl is circular in shape. In profile, the bowl has a slightly flared wall topped by a straight rim. The lower part of the wall is curved towards the bottom, which is flat. The bowl rests on a solid ring foot. There are flaws in the paste and in the inner glaze. There are numerous linear and curved marks on the inner base; the decoration is applied by transfer printing; it is a slightly diffused, very dark blue color with oriental and animal motifs. The printed decoration is visible under the rim and on the inner background, as well as on the outer wall. The decoration under the rim consists of a complex frieze of five different elements. Near the rim, there’s a small band adorned with small pearls in reserve, each with a dark blue core. This is followed by a frieze adorned with a row of ovals in reserve; the ovals are made of concentric lines, with vertical and horizontal extensions, the latter linking them together, and feature a solid square core. This is followed by another small band adorned with small pearls in reserve. This is followed by a wide frieze composed of two main elements repeated in alternation and separated by a third. One element is a latticework with a small star at its junction; the other is a second latticework with double lines and a cross at its center. They are separated by a W-shaped pattern of parallel lines, at the base of which is a kind of full shield with points. Beneath the latticework is a row of stylized acanthus leaves (identical to the Feather edged motif seen on English creamware ceramics), mirrored between the W motifs and trimmed with a pearl at their meeting point. The decoration on the inner base is a double medallion, whose outer edge is adorned with a string of pearls and alternating radiating stemmed pearls. The main decoration consists of leafy branches on one of which a nest has been placed; two adult birds are feeding the chicks in the nest with their beaks. The decoration on the outer wall is an oriental scene with islands, pagodas and rocks; two different motifs are placed alternately to occupy four zones. One of the islands can be identified by its pavilion and pagoda; each located at one end of the island, they are separated by a group of stacked rocks flanked by trees; to the left, water is represented by superimposed horizontal lines. The other island features two central rocks in a row, behind which are two trees; to the right is a small pavilion, and to the left, a honeycomb rock. Around the island, the water is represented by superimposed horizontal lines. The decor is clearly rendered. The frieze junction below the inner edge is visible; the decorations on the outer wall have been carelessly cut away.