Bacchus Handled Dome Lidded Antique KPM Berlin Porcelain Punch Bowl ca 1830 - hand painted scenes from Hogarth satirical etchings blue sceptre mark

A relatively rare, large, antique early 19th century, late Georgian period, Bacchus handled, dome lidded, punch bowl made by KPM circa 1830. It has been hand painted in polychrome over glaze enamels with four different scenes based upon William Hogarth's satirical engravings of early 18th century life. The spaces in between these scenes are filled with hand painted floral sprays and sprigs (Deutsche Blumen). Both the lid and bowl have a low relief moulded band of basket weave or osier pattern and there are three bands of gilding around the bowl and lid.

The lid has a large central handle, moulded in the form of a figure on one knee in front of a tree stump. This is a young Bacchus with a grape-vine wreath on his head. He is wearing a turquoise loin cloth and is raising a glass of red wine in his left hand whilst holding a half full bottle or decanter in his right hand. 

The painting on the front of the lid to the front of the figure is based upon "A Midnight Modern Conversation" by William Hogarth which first published in 1733 (ref 1). The image shows a group of men at a table in various stages of inebriation. One at the front has fallen off his chair, there is a punch bowl on the table a bottle and glass have knocked over, one figure is smoking his pipe whilst watching the other fall over. The painting on the back of the lid shows six men sedately eating their dinners at a long table with a white cloth on it. 

The scene on the front of the bowl is based upon "A Rake's Progress, Plate 6" by William Hogarth which first published on June 25th 1735. (Ref 2) The other side of the bowl is decorated with a version of "The Enraged Musician" also by William Hogarth first published in November 30th 1741. (Ref 3)

The base of the bowl is marked underneath with the under glaze blue sceptre as well as an impressed k and 1. The glaze on the base has been applied rather thickly and has bubbled making it a little difficult to read (Ref.4).  It was made by KPM : Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur of the Royal Works, Berlin, Brandenburg in Germany. 

There is an old printed collector's label attached on the base that is also quite difficult to read however we have attempted to decipher it. It is printed with the monogram FJR. There is a hand written inscription: Punch bowl Berlin bought by H Mac? at Bourne Mouth (sic) sometime in the early nineties (1890's) for parties? 870/. Whether the number refers to a collection number or the purchase price of 870 shillings or £43.50 a value of which in the 1890's equates to £1300.00 today.

The bowl and lid are in excellent antique condition. There is some minor wear to the gilding and losses to the grape vine headdress. There is a small flake chip to the underside of the rim of the lid, there are no other chips cracks nor restoration, small amount of glaze bubbling and fritting. Commensurate with age and use. Please see the images.

The bowl is 5 inches (12.7 cm) tall without the lid and is 12 inches (30.5 cm) tall with the lid in place. The bowl has a diameter of 10.125 inches (25.7 cm) and the lid  10.43 inches (26.5 cm) diameter. 

The bowl alone weighs 1.8 kg , and with the lid - 3.164 kilograms unpacked.

We offer free UK delivery with this item when purchased at the listed price. International tracked postage at cost indicative prices shown, please message with your post code or zip code for a firm price to your location..

References

1. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/401582

2. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/403226

3. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/403227

4. Directory of European Porcelain - Ludwig Danckert - page 35 mark 17.