This is a large bowl of Japanese work with Chinese motifs, possibly made for the Chinese market. This thickly potted bowl shows on the cavetto’s reverse side, among the scrolling lotus with pointed leaves and classical scroll designs, unusual figures of what seem to be ‘blowing men’, with wind-blown flying clothes. Apart from its generous dimensions, this is a special item as it may have been one of the diplomatic presents sent in 1864 by the Emperor Taicoum of Japan to King Luis I, from Kanagawa to Lisbon.

History of the Object

This may have been one of the diplomatic presents sent by the Emperor of Japan. If so, it is referred to as a porcelain punch bowl in "A Revista", a contemporary magazine of September 1864, when mentioning the presents of the Emperor Taicoum. In fact, eighteen boxes of presents left Kanagwa by ship and were delivered to King Luis the First two months before.