Lot Essay
Two other punchbowls with this subject are known; one in the Marcussen Collection, sold Christie's King Street, April 8, 1957, lot 67, and illustrated by Beurdeley, Porcelain of the East India Companies, p. 108 and by Hervouet and Bruneau, op. cit., p. 244; and another sold Christie's King Street, April 22, 1991, lot 144.
The Foundling Hospital view is after a print engraved circa 1750-51 for R. Wilkinson, cf. A Catalogue of Maps, Plans and Views of London, Westminster and Southwark, ed. by John Gregory Crace, pp. 353-696. The view of Vauxhall Gardens is from a print by Johann Sebastian Muller (1715-85), cf. Rococo Art and Design in Hogarth's England, Catalogue, p. 89, possibly after Canaletto, cf. Manners and Morals; Hogarth and British Painting 1700-1760, Catalogue, p. 162.
The Foundling Hospital and Vauxhall Gardens were both fashionable locales for a concert or a Sunday stroll in mid-18th century London. Both were closely associated with aristocratic patrons and society artists. Donors to the Foundling Hospital included Georg Friedrich Handel, who raised funds with a special performance of the Messiah there, and Sir Joshua Reynolds, who gave works to hang in its halls. The Governors' Court Room at the Hospital was decorated by William Hogarth and William Hayman, who were also involved in the decoration of Vauxhall Gardens. The 'Grand Nich' at Vauxhall Gardens featured Handel as Orpheus, sculpted in marble by L.F. Roubiliac. Perhaps these bowls were commissioned by a wealthy music-loving patron of the two 18th century London institutions featured in their decoration.
The Foundling Hospital view is after a print engraved circa 1750-51 for R. Wilkinson, cf. A Catalogue of Maps, Plans and Views of London, Westminster and Southwark, ed. by John Gregory Crace, pp. 353-696. The view of Vauxhall Gardens is from a print by Johann Sebastian Muller (1715-85), cf. Rococo Art and Design in Hogarth's England, Catalogue, p. 89, possibly after Canaletto, cf. Manners and Morals; Hogarth and British Painting 1700-1760, Catalogue, p. 162.
The Foundling Hospital and Vauxhall Gardens were both fashionable locales for a concert or a Sunday stroll in mid-18th century London. Both were closely associated with aristocratic patrons and society artists. Donors to the Foundling Hospital included Georg Friedrich Handel, who raised funds with a special performance of the Messiah there, and Sir Joshua Reynolds, who gave works to hang in its halls. The Governors' Court Room at the Hospital was decorated by William Hogarth and William Hayman, who were also involved in the decoration of Vauxhall Gardens. The 'Grand Nich' at Vauxhall Gardens featured Handel as Orpheus, sculpted in marble by L.F. Roubiliac. Perhaps these bowls were commissioned by a wealthy music-loving patron of the two 18th century London institutions featured in their decoration.