alcohol (right)

shelf 3

Much of the rum produced in colonial New England was consumed domestically, sometimes in punch, a popular celebratory, and often communal, drink. Believed to derive from the Sanskrit word pañca, meaning five, punch was made from water mixed with ingredients central to the era’s commercial shipping expeditions—citrus fruit, rum, sugar, and spices. Many Chinese porcelain punch bowls made for export to the West found their way to Providence through maritime activities known as the China Trade, which brought prosperity to many residents of the city.

 

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A cream and green punch pot with floral decorations, a tall handle that is directly above the lid.

English

Punch Pot, ca. 1760–1770

Earthenware with glaze

Bequest of Mr. Charles L. Pendleton 04.307

A silver and baleen coin ladle. The handle is twisted and dark and the ladle is silver with a small coin in the center.

English

Coin Ladle, 1787

Silver and baleen

Gift of Richard and Inge Chafee 2013.73.3

A white ceramic punch bowl with a short foot and teal, green, pink, and red floral decorations along the body and inside of the vessel.

Chinese (for export)

Punch Bowl, ca. 1800

Porcelain with enamels and glaze

Museum Collection 09.311

A round silver strainer with symmetrical undulating handles.

William Swan

American, 1715–1774

Strainer, ca. 1745

Silver

Museum Appropriation Fund 24.503

A porcelain lemon shaped box. It is light yellow and has sculpted floral elements such as a pink flower and green bud.

Meissen Porcelain Manufactory

German, 1710–present

Lemon-Shaped Box, 1740–1750

Porcelain with enamels and glaze

Gift of the Estate of Abby Rockefeller Mauzé 78.046.35