Punch bowl

Status

Not on view

Label Text

Sarah Bradlee Fulton, renown for her patriotism and for having served as a nurse after the Battle of Bunker Hill, originally owned this Chinese export porcelain punch bowl. According to family history, General George Washington was so impressed with her actions that he visited her after arriving in Boston to take command of the Continental Army in 1775. The Fultons reportedly chose this bowl to serve punch to their honored guest.

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Datec. 1750

Geography Made - China

Medium/TechniquePorcelain (hard-paste), enamel, gilt

DimensionsOverall: 4 3/4 in. x 10 1/4 in. (12.07 cm x 26.04 cm)

Credit LineGift of Lelia Wells Simonini in memory of Sarah Bradlee Fulton, 2006

Object numberM-4536/A

DescriptionCircular bowl with plain rim and rounded sides on a high foot ring, decorated in the Imari palette with underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze iron red enamels and gilt. The rim interior and exterior have a red trellis-diaper band with four reserves containing half-flowerheads and foliage in red and blue. The rim interior also has four blue flowerheads on the band while the rim exterior has four red and gilt flowerheads. Around the exterior of the bowl is a large scale floral design with peonies, chrysanthemums, cherry blossoms, and bamboo. The center of the well retains traces of a floral design with blue leaves and red and gilt flowers. Two blue lines encircle the top of the foot. There are traces of gilt or a honey-brown paint on the edge of the rim.

The bowl has been repaired with multiple staples and two metal edge clamps after having been broken into several pieces.

Published ReferencesHelen Tilden Wild, “Sarah Bradlee Fulton,” Medford Historical Register vol 1. (August 1898): 53-56.

“Painted Him for the Tea Party: House Still Standing on Hollis St Where Mrs. Fulton Helped to Make Up Her Brother . . .” Cambridge Chronicle, December 25, 1891

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