The Sydney Punch Bowl and Tales of a Red Clay Rambler

I found this interesting little book in the local library ceramics section about a punch bowl.
The Sydney Punch Bowl was made in China in the early 1800s before England and Europe had discovered the secrets of making porcelain.

Highly valued, the Chinese porcelain punch bowl in this case, would have been made as a blank undecorated piece in the city of Jingdezhen in China.  It was then commissioned by someone with Australian connections to be decorated with scenes of the fledgling city of Sydney. This probably would have been done in Canton as there was very restrictive access to China by foreigners.

I can't help but think of the connections many Australian ceramic artists have today with Jingdezhen.  For example, Janet De Boos has in the past, designed works to be produced there in relatively small runs and then sold through major department stores back in Australia.

Some Australian ceramic artists go to Jingdezhen to take part in workshops to produce bodies of work which are then displayed or sold in Australia. Others just go for the experience of working with a township with a centuries long tradition of porcelain production.

If you like history books this one also has many illustrations of early Sydney taken from various prints and drawings of the time.

Cover of 'The Sydney Punchbowl' by Elizabeth Ellis  ISBN 987-1-875567-72-0

 The bowl has monogrammed initials in gilt which over time have been almost completely erased so the intended first owner is some what of a mystery.  The punchbowl is now part of the collection of the Mitchell Library in Sydney.  There is also mention of a second punchbowl which is held at the Maritime Museum in Sydney which was bought back from an American collector.

Not sure about you, but I really am not fond of housework so to keep me going this morning while I clean I have been listening to a pod cast from the collection by Ben Carter, the American potter.  Here is a link to his blog where you can find a link to his pod casts:
 http://www.carterpottery.blogspot.com.au/2009/05/welcome-to-tales-of-red-clay-rambler.html

I was listening to his interview with Australian ceramic artist/potter, Mel Robson.  Look for Episode 76 if you would like to listen.  Mel Robson worked in her city studio in Brisbane and then moved to the very centre of Australia, Alice Springs, where her work has undertaken a big change.  This link shows images of her past and present work..  very interesting..  Click Here

or see her on Instagram Click Here:

And like me you love images more than text so look at this sweet little flower I found on my morning walk...