--- title: "Chinese Export Porcelain 'Hong' Punch Bowl | Curiosa.com" description: "Large punch bowl featuring a continuous hand-painted scene of the hongs (trading factories) at Canton. The exterior depicts the Danish, Spanish, Swedish, Bri..." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Product", "name": "Chinese Export Porcelain 'Hong' Punch Bowl", "description": "Large punch bowl featuring a continuous hand-painted scene of the hongs (trading factories) at Canton. The exterior depicts the Danish, Spanish, Swedish, British, and Dutch national flags flying above their respective waterfront warehouses. The interior is decorated with a floral festoon border and a central medallion illustrating a merchant interior scene. 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The exterior depicts the Danish, Spanish, Swedish, British, and Dutch national flags flying above their respective waterfront warehouses. The interior is decorated with a floral festoon border and a central medallion illustrating a merchant interior scene. The footrim is unglazed, showing a fine-grained white porcelain body characteristic of Jingdezhen production. Compare with other ceramic pieces in the archive: [Chinese Blue & White 'Ginger Jar' Vase, Style of Kangxi Period](https://curiosa.com/archive/ceramics/chinese-minyao-blue-and-white-shan-shui-jarlet), [Korean Buncheong-style Glazed Stoneware Jar, Joseon Dynasty Type](https://curiosa.com/archive/ceramics/provincial-stoneware-jarlet), [Chinese Famille Rose (Fencai) Decorative Plate](https://curiosa.com/archive/ceramics/chinese-famille-rose-fencai-decorative-plate). ## PRODUCTION & FIRING Created during the Qianlong period, circa 1780-1790, these bowls were luxury commissions for Western merchants operating in Canton (Guangzhou). The depiction of the hongs represents the strictly regulated 'Canton System' where foreign trade was confined to a small strip of land along the Pearl ... Created during the Qianlong period, circa 1780-1790, these bowls were luxury commissions for Western merchants operating in Canton (Guangzhou). The depiction of the hongs represents the strictly regulated 'Canton System' where foreign trade was confined to a small strip of land along the Pearl River. Similar examples are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Accession 81.1) and the Winterthur Museum, documenting the architectural evolution of the Guangzhou waterfront before the 1822 fire. Read full story ## COLLECTOR NOTES 1 The flags on these bowls act as a chronometer for historians; the presence of the American flag usually dates a bowl to after 1784 when the Empress of China first arrived in Canton. 2 A catastrophic fire in 1822 destroyed most of the actual waterfront depicted on these bowls, making them some of the most accurate visual records of 18th-century Guangzhou. ## SCARCITY Very Rare 95-98% Common Legendary Museum-quality consideration with documented examples tracked by specialists. Appear at auction perhaps once a year. Rarity 8/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 1 ceramics item at rarity 8 or higher. ### Typical Characteristics - Museum-quality consideration - Tracked by specialists - Auction house highlight pieces ### AUTHENTICITY CONFIDENCE Moderate (65% confidence) #### Confidence Factors - High value of 'hong' bowls incentivizes high-quality 20th-century reproductions - Evidence of correct 18th-century iron-red diaper patterns is present but requires physical inspection of the paste - Vibrancy of the blue sky enamel can occasionally indicate later Samson of Paris or Macao copies [How does authenticity detection work?](/fake-art-detection) ## CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT Ceramics Historian & Kiln Specialist Ceramics Expert Identification as a 'hong' bowl is certain based on the flags and architectural motifs; however, high-quality 19th and 20th-century copies exist, requiring physical inspection of the paste and glaze for absolute 18th-century confirmation. ### KEY EVIDENCE - 1 Presence of pre-1800 flags (specifically the pre-1801 Union Jack and the Swedish flag) - 2 Correct depiction of the 'Swedish Hong' which is a standard marker for 1780s export scenes - 3 Interior festoon border style consistent with late Qianlong period export wares - 4 Hand-rendered iron-red fretwork on the rim consistent with Jingdezhen artisanal techniques ### UNCERTAINTIES - • Uniformity of the blue enamel sky: older examples often show more graduation or mottling - • Condition: extraordinarily clean interiors on these bowls can sometimes suggest professional restoration or later production ### WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY - → Check for translucency by holding a light inside the bowl; 18th-century porcelain should show a warm, slightly orange/creamy glow - → Inspect the footrim for 'chatter marks' or grit from the kiln floor - → Perform a UV light test to identify invisible crack repairs or overpainted enamels COLLECTOR GLOSSARY (3 terms) ## CONDITION & GRADE ### Grading breakdown Ceramics are generally assessed by structural integrity rather than a scale grade; this appears to be in 'Good' to 'Very Good' antique condition with no immediate evidence of stabilization staples or large rim chips. ### Condition The images show preserved enamel colors with minimal fading. Possible minor wear to the gilt rim and a small firing speck visible in the interior well center. The exterior sky area shows a consistent blue wash without modern mechanical stippling. ### Weight & feel Substantial and dense, likely weighing between 2.5 to 3.5 kg depending on the exact diameter, which typically ranges from 30 to 40 cm for 'hong' bowls. ## CERAMICS MARKET VALUE $15,000 - $45,000 Updated: May 11, 2026 How we estimate value ### Who buys this Top-tier collectors of Chinese Export porcelain, maritime history museums, and high-end interior designers. ### What increases value - • Clarity and completeness of the flag sequence - • Large physical dimensions (bowls over 14 inches command significant premiums) - • Vibrance of the enamel colors, especially the blues and greens ### What lowers value - • Any hairline cracks or professional restoration significantly reduces auction value by 50% or more - • Fading of the iron-red enamels or 'rubbing' of the gilt rim ### What makes top-tier examples - • Presence of the American flag (Stars and Stripes) - • Diameter exceeding 15 inches - • Documented provenance to a major 18th-century merchant family ### Grade & condition Presence of 'star cracks' in the base, enamel loss (flaking), and rim fritting (small chips). ### Rarity & demand Very Rare High demand Moderate liquidity [Browse similar ceramics objects](/archive/ceramics) For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal. ## FROM THE CABINET OF [BR ](/cabinet/bruinsma) [ ### bruinsma ](/cabinet/bruinsma) The Connoisseur • 59 items [View Full Cabinet](/cabinet/bruinsma) ### COMMENTS No comments yet. 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