Charles Osborne
Punch Bowl

Public Domain

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Images(3)

Designer Charles Osborne American, born England, 1848–1920

MakerMade by Tiffany & Co.New York, established 1837

CultureAmerican

Titles

Punch Bowl

Date1884

PlaceNew York, New York, United States

MediumSterling silver with gilt

Dimensions8 1/8 × 15 5/8 in. diameter (20.6 × 39.6 cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Museum Collectors

Object number84.90

Current Location

The Audrey Jones Beck Building

109 Long & Sarofim Gallery

On view

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Department

Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionAs exemplified by this magnificent punch bowl, the New York Yacht Club commissioned as prizes for its yacht races some of the finest examples of American presentation silver. The bowl's hammered surface and applied decoration were inspired by Japanese metalworking techniques, a specialty of Tiffany & Co. in the 19th century. Wonderfully complex and creative in design, this punch bowl is abundantly embellished with images of shrimp, kelp, shells, and coral—all fitting decorative motifs for a nautical prize.

ProvenanceCommissioned by New York Yacht Club Commodore, James Gordon Bennett, Jr. (1841–1918), Newport, Rhode Island, 1884; Awarded as the Commodore's Cup to the cutter, Oriva, C. Smith Lee, Newport, Rhode Island, August 12, 1884; […]; [Christie's, New York, January 21, 1984]; [S.J Shrubsole, New York, 1984]; purchased by MFAH, 1984.
Exhibition History"The Silver of Tiffany & Co.," Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, September 9–November 8, 1987.

"Patrons Choice: The Silver Anniversary of The Museum Collectors, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, September 18, 2004–January 30, 2005.

"American Made: 250 Years of American Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, July 7, 2012–January 2, 2013.

"Art Across America," National Museum of Korea, Seoul, Korea, February 4–May 19, 2013; Daejeon Museum of Art, Daejeon, Korea, June 17–September 1, 2013.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

applied on base: N.Y.Y.C. / Commodore's Prize / Newport / August 12, 1884

applied on side: Oriva (Oriva was a cutter captained by C. Smith lee, Second Class Sloops)

Marks on base: TIFFANY & Co. / 6310 Makers 3855 / Sterling Silver / 925-1000 / M / 2761

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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