A RARE CHINESE `LIBERTY' PUNCH BOWL

QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

A RARE CHINESE 'LIBERTY' PUNCH BOWL
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
Enamelled on each side with a cartouche portrait of John Wilkes below the inscription ARMS OF LIBERTY, beside a portrait of Lord Mansfield, each portrait with supporters and mottoes, the interior with a flower and fruit cluster
10 1/8 in. (25.8 cm.) diameter

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Lot Essay

See D. S. Howard, Chinese Armorial Porcelain, 1974, p. 955 for an identical bowl, and where the author points out that these bowls, together with the similar, more commonly-found bowls inscribed 'Wilkes and Liberty', are more political than heraldic. John Wilkes (1725-1797) was a popular campaigner for liberty and was elected to Parliament on several occasions, as well as elected Mayor of London in 1774. Lord Mansfield, representing 'The Establishment', was Lord Chief Justice from 1756-1788.

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