Images(4)

Punch or wassail bowl

Dateca. 1700

OriginEngland, London

MediumTin-glazed earthenware (delft / delftware)

DimensionsH with cover: 11 1/4"; H without cover: 7 11/16"; D: 8 5/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1961-135,A&B

DescriptionDeep bowl on high spreading foot. Cover with replaced mushroom knop and 2 loop handles with scroll terminals and birds at top. Bluish tin glaze decorated in blue; on the cover and the foot, geometric and scroll motifs; on the body, 3 Chinese figures in landscapes and, on one side, the Parkhurst of Guildford coat of arms.Label TextThis bowl, which exhibits the arms of the Parkhurst family of Guildford, was long thought to have been made for Sir Robert Parkhurst, but subsequent study suggests that it postdates his death. The loop handles surmounted by elongated birds are unusual; most covers of this type (usually on posset pots) have either foliage-like strapwork (see CWF accession 1977-223) or a development of that in the form of serpents (see accession 1965-123). The birds appear to be a rare development of the same earlier strapwork. The central knop is an incorrect replacement. Few punch bowls survive with covers, and most that do have finials in the form of small covered cups, probably intended for spices. A few covered posset pots have finials in the form of containers. The London attribution for this example is based on the glaze and decoration and on the close proximity of Guildford to London.Inscription(s)Parkhurst of Guildford coat of arms.Mark(s)NoProvenanceMrs. Cameron
Tilley & Co., London