August, 2008 ~ Wedgwood Punchbowl Fragment

This interesting earthenware fragment was found beneath floorboards in the attic of Kenmore during the course of installing insulation in 1989. While the form of the object cannot be conclusively determined from this one fragment, it is most likely a piece of a punch bowl. The side of the fragment bearing the image would have been part of the interior of the bowl.

The scene illustrated on this fragment shows a portion of a masted ship bearing a British flag. Punch bowls featuring transfer-printed nautical and patriotic scenes were quite popular in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The opposite side (shown in the inset photo), which would be the underside or base of the piece, bears a portion of the maker’s mark (“WEDGWOOD & CO.”).

This piece was most likely made during the 1790s, as this particular stamp was in use only for a brief period.

The thumbnail images below provide links to larger images of previous
Pictures of the Month.

January, 2008	February, 2008	March, 2008	April, 2008
May, 2008	June, 2008	July, 2008

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Last Updated: August 4, 2008