Punch Bowl

By the eighteenth century, punch bowls had become fashionable symbols of hospitality and generosity. The colorful overglaze enamels on this punch bowl were probably the work of a German or Dutch glass painter, while the inclusion of Chinese figures reflected the Western fascination with the Far East. The bowl's brown sheen and "orange peel" texture were accomplished by throwing salt into the kiln during firing. Beverages served from punch bowls demonstrated the impact of international trade: the combination of exotic spices and spirits from the East with citrus fruits and refined sugar from the West Indies were all evidence of a good host's means and taste.