A RARE CHINESE EXPORT PRESENTATION PUNCH BOWL AND TWO PUNCH JUGS AND COVERS CIRCA 1830

the bowl finely painted in grisaille on the front with a ship under construction, the reverse with the gilt monogram H E, flanked by colorful enameled flower sprays, all beneath an iron-red-ground tooled gilt-floral border, the interior unusually decorated with large iron-red and gold carp; the jugs each decorated en suite with the monogram and flower sprays. 

Henry Eckford (1775-1832) by descent to Elizabeth I Richardson (1904-2000), Providence, Rhode Island, to her nephew, Alanson B. Houghton II (1930-2016).

Jean McClure Mudge, Chinese Export Porcelain for the American Trade, New York, 1962, pp. 184 and p. 193, figure 133 (punch bowl)

Bowl - there is a four inch long fine haircrack running down from the rim through the far right side of the monogram panel. It extends from a small restored rim chip / firing flaw. There is a half inch shallow reaffixed chip to the exterior rim above the right side of the shipyard panel. Large jug - some wear to the gilding on the knop and rim edge of the cover. The jug has an extensively restored, perhaps mostly made up, spout and some rubbing to the gilding, particularly on the handle and handle terminals. Smaller jug - the cover is a made up restoration. The spout is restored, possibly mostly made up. There is rubbing to the gilding, mainly on the handle and terminals and some old retouching to the gilding on the border below the rim. All the restoration throughout is old and discolored.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Henry Eckford was an American shipbuilder and naval architect who came to prominence for his shipbuilding skills during the War of 1812. Born in Scotland, he emigrated to Canada in 1791, and completed his shipbuilding apprenticeship in 1796 at the age of 21, when he moved to New York City. He opened his own shipyard in Brooklyn in 1800, and in 1812 offered his services to the US Navy. After the war ended in 1815 he worked again in Brooklyn before becoming embroiled in Tammany Hall political scandal in the late 1820s. In 1831 he sailed to Turkey and was hired by the Turkish government to build ships for the Ottoman Navy, a career which came to a sudden end with his death, from cholera in November 1832. 

The present bowl and jugs have descended in the Eckford family and are said to have been presented to Henry Eckford by the Turkish government, though the style of decoration might also support a slightly earlier dating.