A fine and rare famille rose ‘European-subject’ punch bowl for the English market
Qianlong (1736 -1795)

This is one of a very small group of well-known bowls enamelled in China with careful views of London scenes copied from contemporary prints.

The scenes on this bowl illustrate fashionable figures promenading on the Grand Walk at Vauxhall Gardens, beneath a chamber orchestra; the back of the bowl has an accurate view of the Foundling Hospital, founded by Captain Coram in 1739 to care for London orphans. The prints on which both scenes are based were published in 1750-51. While there are no clear reasons why these two scenes should be linked, a number of well-known fashionable artist/philanthropists who supported the Hospital included Sir Joshua Reynolds, William Hogarth, William Haydon and the composer Handel.