Object Description
A truly superb antique silver plated punch bowl set that includes ten punch cups, dating from Circa 1920.
The punch bowl features decorative lion’s head ring handles with superb floral and fluted embossed decoration.
This highly versatile item can also be used as a wine or champagne cooler.
The quality and craftsmanship throughout the piece are truly second to none.
Condition:
In really excellent as new unused condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 20 cm x Width 32 cm x Depth 32 cm – Bowl
Height 5 cm x Width 11 cm x Depth 8 cm – Cups
Dimensions in inches:
Height 8 inches x Width 1 foot, 1 inch x Depth 1 foot, 1 inch – Bowl
Height 2 inches x Width 4 inches x Depth 3 inches – Cups
Punch Bowl
The word punch is a loanword from Hindi. The original drink was named paantsch, which is Hindi for “five”, and the drink was made from five different ingredients: spirit, sugar, lemon, water or tea and spices. The drink was brought back from India to England by the sailors and employees of the British East India Company in the early seventeenth century, and from there it was introduced into other European countries.
Punch quickly became a popular drink. It was served in punch bowls, usually ceramic or silver, which were often elaborately decorated. Punch bowls sometimes had lids or were supported on a stand; other accessories such as a serving ladle and cups in which to serve the drink sometimes accompanied the punch bowl. Punch bowls were often painted with inscriptions or were used for testimonial purposes: the first successful whaling voyage from Liverpool was commemorated by a punch bowl presented by the owners of the ship to its captain.
The punch-bowl was an indespensible vessel in every house above the humblest class. And there were many kindly recollections connected with it, it being very frequently given as a present. No young married couple ever thought of buying a punch-bowl; it was always presented to them by a near-relative.
Our reference: A4474