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A close up of a painted ceramic with two figures dressed in blue and green, framed by red lattice panels and ornate architectural details.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a white flag on a pole with visible wear, set against a background of black rooftops and green foliage.
A close-up of a painted ceramic bowl depicting two wooden boats with woven coverings floating on purple water and a figure dressed in blue in the foreground.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting two figures dressed in blue and green using a shoulder pole to carry a box, with a tree and brick pathway.
A close up of a painted ceramic with a red and white cross flag on a pole, set against a background of black rooftops and green foliage.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a section of an orange wall with small windows, highlighting a rectangular window with an illustrated face and adjacent smaller windows.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting docked wooden boats in the foreground and workers carrying goods on an orange-tiled dock.
A close-up of a painted scene on a ceramic bowl depicting a small wooden boat with a woven canopy, a single oar extending off the side into purple-hued water.
A close up of a ceramic of a red and yellow striped flag with a crown, a lion, and a castle emblem, against a background of black rooftops and foliage.
A close-up of a painted ceramic depicting two figures dressed in blue and green, standing on a brick pathway near a building with green windows and blue doors.
A close-up of a painted ceramic bowl depicting a small figure within a circular window with vibrant red and white patterns surrounding the building.
A painted porcelain bowl showcasing intricate designs, including small boats on a purple river, detailed city architecture, and golden hills.
A close up of the bottom of a bowl showcasing a bustling harbor area with people walking on brick paths, and blue houses featuring detailed windows and balconies.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting docked wooden boats in the foreground and workers carrying goods on an orange-tiled dock.
A close up depicting a person holding a staff on a balcony, surrounded by vibrant red patterns and blue and white walls.
A painted ceramic depicting a large blue building next to a white building with balconies and green windows adjacent to a brick walkway and small boats docked along the river.
A close-up of a painted ceramic depicting two figures dressed in purple and green walking along a decorative bridge with detailed railings.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure in green seated at an orange table on a balcony with an ornate railing and intricate white columns.
A close up of a painted ceramic bowl depicting a figure in blue standing on the deck of a decorated ship with woven coverings on purple water.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting an orange wall with a window with an illustrated face, surrounded by smaller plain rectangular windows.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure in blue standing on an orange brick street near a doorway and a figure dressed in purple at a counter.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting figures walking and interacting on an orange brick street, bordered by blue buildings with green windows and ornate wooden fencing.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure in blue standing on an orange brick street near a doorway and a figure dressed in purple at a counter.
A painted ceramic scene depicting a courtyard with figures on a staircase and orange tiles, with a sailboat with a flag near and fencing in the foreground.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure in purple leaning on a balcony railing, surrounded by intricate red and white designs and a blue building facade.
A close-up of a painted ceramic bowl featuring a figure dressed in purple within a circular window holding a lantern.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting an orange wall with small rectangular windows, a person stepping through an arched doorway, and lush green trees.
A ceramic bowl ornamented with a vibrant, bustling cityscape including buildings, figures, and boats in vivid colors and fine details.
A close up of a painted ceramic showing figures along a building facade with arched windows and ornate barriers and a Swedish flag flying on a pole in the foreground.
A close up depicting a bustling harbor scene with boats in the foreground, people walking near a wooden fence, and vibrant blue buildings with decorative windows.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a street scene with figures in colorful clothings surrounded by blue buildings with green windows and ornate wooden fences.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a red, white, and blue flag on a pole, set above a building with green foliage and purple accents.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a waterfront with blue and orange buildings and decorative balconies, flags, and a backdrop of rooftops and trees.
A close up view of a bowl with a painted figure, wearing a gray robe and holding a bowl in front of a doorway with blue walls and detailed windows.
A close up of a painted ceramic featuring an orange walled structure with rectangular windows, a figure in purples robes exiting through an arched doorway, surrounded by boats and greenery.
A close-up of a painted ceramic depicting the British flag on a pole, positioned above a building with green foliage and hills in the background.
A close-up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure in a purple robe stepping through an arched doorway, set between an orange wall with small rectangular windows.
A close up view of a bowl with a painted figure, wearing a gray robe and holding a bowl in front of a doorway with blue walls and detailed windows.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting workers carrying baskets along an orange-tiled courtyard bordered by fences, with docked wooden boats in the foreground.
A close up depicting a bustling harbor scene with boats in the foreground, people walking near a wooden fence, and vibrant blue buildings with decorative windows.
A close-up of a painted ceramic bowl with two curved boats with woven canopies, one with an oar dipping into rippled purple water.
A close up depicting two figures in pink and gray robes and golden hair ornaments, set against a background of terracotta tiles and architectural details.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a small wooden boat with two arched woven canopies, floating on purple rippled water with an oar extending off the side.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a building facade with arched windows and intricate columns with an American flag waving in the foreground.
A ceramic bowl with a detailed waterfront scene, with flags, architectural details, and figures, framed by an ornate gold and floral rim.
A close-up of a painted ceramic bowl depicting a river scene with a small boat, a colorful docked structure, and a small figure visible in a window.
A close up of a painted ceramic showing a blue and white walled building with tall columns, green-paned windows, and tiled floors, featuring a figure stepping through a doorway.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure dressed in blue ascending a decorative staircase with ornate railings, red brick floor, and a blue background.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure in blue using a shoulder pole to carry a box, descending an angled orange brick-way with lush green trees in the foreground.
A painted ceramic scene depicting a vibrant courtyard scene with three figures, one on an orange tiled balcony, and the two others in the central courtyard, surrounded by intricate fencing.
A close up of a painted ceramic depicting two figures dressed in purple and green, standing on an ornate balcony with detailed railings and columns.
A painted ceramic scene depicting multiple wooden boats with coverings and a figure in a circular window on a docked structure.
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  • A ceramic bowl ornamented with a vibrant, bustling cityscape including buildings, figures, and boats in vivid colors and fine details.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic with two figures dressed in blue and green, framed by red lattice panels and ornate architectural details.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a white flag on a pole with visible wear, set against a background of black rooftops and green foliage.
  • A close-up of a painted ceramic bowl depicting two wooden boats with woven coverings floating on purple water and a figure dressed in blue in the foreground.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting two figures dressed in blue and green using a shoulder pole to carry a box, with a tree and brick pathway.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic with a red and white cross flag on a pole, set against a background of black rooftops and green foliage.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a section of an orange wall with small windows, highlighting a rectangular window with an illustrated face and adjacent smaller windows.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting docked wooden boats in the foreground and workers carrying goods on an orange-tiled dock.
  • The interior of a ceramic bowl with a central floral motif, and an ornate gold and floral rim.
  • A close-up of a painted scene on a ceramic bowl depicting a small wooden boat with a woven canopy, a single oar extending off the side into purple-hued water.
  • A close up of a ceramic of a red and yellow striped flag with a crown, a lion, and a castle emblem, against a background of black rooftops and foliage.
  • A close-up of a painted ceramic depicting two figures dressed in blue and green, standing on a brick pathway near a building with green windows and blue doors.
  • A close-up of a painted ceramic bowl depicting a small figure within a circular window with vibrant red and white patterns surrounding the building.
  • A painted porcelain bowl showcasing intricate designs, including small boats on a purple river, detailed city architecture, and golden hills.
  • A close up of the bottom of a bowl showcasing a bustling harbor area with people walking on brick paths, and blue houses featuring detailed windows and balconies.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting docked wooden boats in the foreground and workers carrying goods on an orange-tiled dock.
  • A close up depicting a person holding a staff on a balcony, surrounded by vibrant red patterns and blue and white walls.
  • A ceramic bowl ornamented with a scenic riverside view including orange hills, lush greenery, and buildings alongside a river and boats. Gold accents outline the rim.
  • A painted ceramic depicting a large blue building next to a white building with balconies and green windows adjacent to a brick walkway and small boats docked along the river.
  • A close-up of a painted ceramic depicting two figures dressed in purple and green walking along a decorative bridge with detailed railings.
  • A ceramic bowl ornamented with a vibrant, bustling cityscape including buildings, figures, and boats in vivid colors and fine details.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure in green seated at an orange table on a balcony with an ornate railing and intricate white columns.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic bowl depicting a figure in blue standing on the deck of a decorated ship with woven coverings on purple water.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting an orange wall with a window with an illustrated face, surrounded by smaller plain rectangular windows.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure in blue standing on an orange brick street near a doorway and a figure dressed in purple at a counter.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting figures walking and interacting on an orange brick street, bordered by blue buildings with green windows and ornate wooden fencing.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure in blue standing on an orange brick street near a doorway and a figure dressed in purple at a counter.
  • A painted ceramic scene depicting a courtyard with figures on a staircase and orange tiles, with a sailboat with a flag near and fencing in the foreground.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure in purple leaning on a balcony railing, surrounded by intricate red and white designs and a blue building facade.
  • A close-up of a painted ceramic bowl featuring a figure dressed in purple within a circular window holding a lantern.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting an orange wall with small rectangular windows, a person stepping through an arched doorway, and lush green trees.
  • A ceramic bowl ornamented with a vibrant, bustling cityscape including buildings, figures, and boats in vivid colors and fine details.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic showing figures along a building facade with arched windows and ornate barriers and a Swedish flag flying on a pole in the foreground.
  • A close up depicting a bustling harbor scene with boats in the foreground, people walking near a wooden fence, and vibrant blue buildings with decorative windows.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a street scene with figures in colorful clothings surrounded by blue buildings with green windows and ornate wooden fences.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a red, white, and blue flag on a pole, set above a building with green foliage and purple accents.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a waterfront with blue and orange buildings and decorative balconies, flags, and a backdrop of rooftops and trees.
  • A close up view of a bowl with a painted figure, wearing a gray robe and holding a bowl in front of a doorway with blue walls and detailed windows.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic featuring an orange walled structure with rectangular windows, a figure in purples robes exiting through an arched doorway, surrounded by boats and greenery.
  • A close-up of a painted ceramic depicting the British flag on a pole, positioned above a building with green foliage and hills in the background.
  • A close-up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure in a purple robe stepping through an arched doorway, set between an orange wall with small rectangular windows.
  • A close up view of a bowl with a painted figure, wearing a gray robe and holding a bowl in front of a doorway with blue walls and detailed windows.
  • An intricately painted ceramic bowl with a bustling city scene, featuring colorful buildings, trees and figures, and including a gold rim.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting workers carrying baskets along an orange-tiled courtyard bordered by fences, with docked wooden boats in the foreground.
  • A close up depicting a bustling harbor scene with boats in the foreground, people walking near a wooden fence, and vibrant blue buildings with decorative windows.
  • A close-up of a painted ceramic bowl with two curved boats with woven canopies, one with an oar dipping into rippled purple water.
  • A close up depicting two figures in pink and gray robes and golden hair ornaments, set against a background of terracotta tiles and architectural details.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a small wooden boat with two arched woven canopies, floating on purple rippled water with an oar extending off the side.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a building facade with arched windows and intricate columns with an American flag waving in the foreground.
  • A ceramic bowl with a detailed waterfront scene, with flags, architectural details, and figures, framed by an ornate gold and floral rim.
  • A close-up of a painted ceramic bowl depicting a river scene with a small boat, a colorful docked structure, and a small figure visible in a window.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic showing a blue and white walled building with tall columns, green-paned windows, and tiled floors, featuring a figure stepping through a doorway.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure dressed in blue ascending a decorative staircase with ornate railings, red brick floor, and a blue background.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a figure in blue using a shoulder pole to carry a box, descending an angled orange brick-way with lush green trees in the foreground.
  • A painted ceramic scene depicting a vibrant courtyard scene with three figures, one on an orange tiled balcony, and the two others in the central courtyard, surrounded by intricate fencing.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting two figures dressed in purple and green, standing on an ornate balcony with detailed railings and columns.
  • A painted ceramic scene depicting multiple wooden boats with coverings and a figure in a circular window on a docked structure.
  • A close up of a painted ceramic depicting a vibrant waterfront scene with wooden boats, a brick street, blue builds, and flags.
  • A large ceramic bowl with intricate artwork, including cityscapes, flags, and ornate floral patterns along the rim.

Unknown Maker, Chinese

Punch Bowl with Cantonese Hongs
Now On View

Maker

Unknown Maker, Chinese

Culture

Chinese

Title

Punch Bowl with Cantonese Hongs

Year

1785-1800

Medium

  • Porcelain with enamel

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

  • Porcelain with enamel

Materials

porcelain, enamel

Geography

Place Made: China

Dimensions

15.2 x 36.8 x 36.8 cm (6 x 14 1/2 x 14 1/2 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mrs. Hope Brown Russell

Object Number

09.343

Type

  • Ceramics

Publications

  • Books

A Handbook of the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design

  • Books

Selected Works

Articles

On the Other Side

Exhibition History

18th and 19th-Century American Galleries
Jun 19, 2015
Charles Pendleton House
Jan 02, 2015
Making It In America
Oct 11, 2013 – Feb 09, 2014

Label copy

Elizabeth A. Williams, Curator of Decorative Arts and Design: This bowl is both a physical product and pictorial documentation of 18th-century global commerce. It depicts the Canton waterfront, where an American flag flies high among those of European countries including England, France, and Holland, heralding the United States’ successful international trade with China beginning in 1784. A series of buildings known as hongs encircles the bowl’s exterior. Operated by Western nations, hongs served as storehouses for the China trade, a lucrative venture that brought tea, silks, porcelain, lacquerware, and other luxury articles to Western shores.

Deborah Diemente, potter and RISD Museum Head Registrar: An individual studio potter today has little in common with the artisans who produced this bowl. Can it speak to us now? Look closely at the intricate decoration on the exterior. Note not only the number of enamels used, each representing years of experimentation, but also the many techniques of application and depth of color. Some lines flow like watercolor while others are sharp as a knife’s edge. Dozens of specialists, each executing one part of the process, labored on this bowl. Each had a particular expertise and yet the collaboration achieved a resonant harmony that could only come from a shared commitment to perfection. Such a virtuoso display of technique is an inspiration. It reminds me of the day my Japanese teacher turned sharply to a student who had complimented his talent for brushwork decoration, saying, “No, no, it is technique, not talent. You must practice, practice, practice!”

Chinese Export Silver
A Legacy in Luxury
Mar 08, 1985 – Apr 21, 1985
Designed For Another Age
Decorative Arts From Newport Mansions
Mar 20, 1980 – May 04, 1980

Image use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use.

Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Chinese
Punch Bowl with Cantonese Hongs, 1785-1800
Porcelain with enamel
15.2 x 36.8 x 36.8 cm (6 x 14 1/2 x 14 1/2 inches)
Gift of Mrs. Hope Brown Russell 09.343

To request new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.

Feedback

We view our online collection as a living documents, and our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you have additional information or have spotted an error, please send feedback to curatorial@risd.edu.

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