Page 49 - Met Museum Export Porcelain 2003

Punchbowl,New YorkCity view Punchbowl, detailof armsof the cityofNew York

Among the notable New Yorkersto acquire
large dinner services after 1784 was Mayor
(1811-15) DeWitt Clinton (fig. 52). Clinton
may also have played a role in securing the
enormous punch bowl presented to the city
of New Yorkon July 4, 1812 (fig. 54). The
inscription on the bowl-well used, as
shown by the wear on the interior-reads:
"Drinkdeep. You will preserve the City and
encourage Canals." The last reference paid
tribute to Clinton's mission and most signif-
icant accomplishment, the construction of
the Erie Canal, which over a decade later
opened up New Yorkto the West. On the
interior and exterior of the bowl are scenic
views of the state faithfully copied from
print sources, as were many landscape
designs on European porcelains of the early
nineteenth century.

5I