Punch Bowl

ca. 1750
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 704
Punch, a heady concoction of spirits, water, citrus, sugar, and spices, was especially fashionable in England, where trade with the West Indies ensured ample supplies of rum, sugar, and spices. The beverage enjoyed considerable popularity in the American colonies as well. This punch bowl reflects a keen awareness of contemporary English silver, particularly in its engraved symmetrical cartouche of shells and foliate vines. As noted in the inscription, it was made for prominent New York merchant Christopher Bancker (1695–1763) as a gift from the heirs of John Roosevelt (1689–1750), to whom the Bancker family was related by marriage. Bancker was also the older brother of Adrian Bancker, the silversmith commissioned to make the bowl.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Punch Bowl
  • Maker: Adrian Bancker (1703–1772)
  • Date: ca. 1750
  • Geography: Made in New York, New York, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Silver
  • Dimensions: Overall: 4 x 8 9/16 in. (10.2 x 21.7 cm); 25 oz. 5 dwt. (785.8 g)
    Foot: Diam. 4 3/16 in. (10.6 cm)
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Emily Burrall Hatton, 1942
  • Object Number: 48.15
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.