The Bowl’s Interior

Hong bowls normally feature a floral motif on the interior, but in this case the interior displays the image of a ship. The vessel is shown not in full sail but in the process of being constructed. The vignette, in combination with the initials BGE, reveals specific historical and biographical information. The initials refer to Benjamin G. Etre in whose family the bowl was passed down as an heirloom from generation to generation until the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York received it as a gift from one of his descendants.[cf p.60]

Even though we have gone through most of the bowl’s features, there are still interesting details left to explore. I believe the punch bowl can be described as an art piece for export, a commercial object or a souvenir representing some aspects of the foreign visitors’ experience in Canton. Through this punch bowl, we are transported to the bustling, international and colorful port city of Canton in the late 17th century.