Punchbowl/Bowl
Bowl
Maker & role
Unknown, Maker
Production date
circa 1780-circa 1785
See full details
Object detail
Title
Punchbowl with continuous panorama of the Hongs, China, porcelain overglaze polychrome painted and gilded, China, c1780-1785
Production place
Collection
Measurements
Rim, Diam: 36.5cm (Diam: 365mm); Base, Diam: 9.5cm (Diam: 95mm)
Subject Place
Signature & marks
- Circle label with printed and handwritten text on base: 'CLYDE BANK/ COLLECTION' (printed); 'CPO' (handwritten)
- Circle label with printed and handwritten text on base: 'RAPI Y. MOTTAHEDEH COLLECTION' (printed); '228' (handwritten)
- Circle label with printed and handwritten text on base: 'RAPI Y. MOTTAHEDEH COLLECTION' (printed); '228' (handwritten)
Credit line
Gift, through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2004
Caroline Simpson Collection, Museum of Sydney Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caroline Simpson Collection, Museum of Sydney Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Description
A Chinese Export ‘Hong’ punch bowl made in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China, for a British or European market, and sold through Canton (Guangzhou), circa 1780-85. The bowl is painted in overglaze enamels in a ‘Mandarin palette’ with a continuous view of the Pearl River waterfront on Canton, depicting the thirteen hongs - wood and brick buildings that served foreign traders as residences, offices and warehouses. The flags flying in front of the hongs are those of Denmark, France (the Bourbon flag), Brazil, Sweden, Great Britain (the British East India Company) and Holland. The British hong is shown before the enclosure of the ground floor of its portico with a series of arches (c. 1784-5). The close-up view is enlivened by a Chinese ‘tilted’ perspective, and sense of movement arising from the many ‘chop’ boats (sampans) on the water, people in the hong forecourts, flags fluttering in the breeze and mountainous background scenery. The interior is painted with a basket of flowers within a green roundel encircled with flowers, fruit and bamboo, and the rim with a frieze of baskets of flowers suspended from ribbons alternating with patterned panels and bat-wing scrollwork issuing floral garlands beneath key-fret and husk bands at the edge (restored).
This acquisition is part of the Caroline Simpson Collection, originally housed at Clyde Bank, an 1820s Georgian mansion in The Rocks. Clyde Bank was acquired by Caroline Simpson in 1992 and, following its conservation, opened to the public in 1996 as a showcase for her private collection of Australian colonial furniture, pictures, objets d’art and images of colonial places from around the world. Caroline Simpson OAM (1930-2003) supported many causes during her lifetime, particularly the conservation and appreciation of Australia’s colonial heritage. Her philanthropy was generous but mostly anonymous.
This acquisition is part of the Caroline Simpson Collection, originally housed at Clyde Bank, an 1820s Georgian mansion in The Rocks. Clyde Bank was acquired by Caroline Simpson in 1992 and, following its conservation, opened to the public in 1996 as a showcase for her private collection of Australian colonial furniture, pictures, objets d’art and images of colonial places from around the world. Caroline Simpson OAM (1930-2003) supported many causes during her lifetime, particularly the conservation and appreciation of Australia’s colonial heritage. Her philanthropy was generous but mostly anonymous.
Accession number
MOS2005/25
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