A magnificent punch bowl in the ‘Flora’ pattern made in c1855 by Marple & Turner, who were a Staffordshire-based pottery in the Upper Hanley Works, Stoke-on-Trent. The partnership was dissolved in 1855. The ironstone pedestal bowl is in excellent condition and measures 18cm high with a diameter of 25cm.
 
Punch was a very popular drink in the 18th and 19th centuries and there were terribly fashionable ‘punch houses’ in places like London where the glitterati of the day hung out. The drink was brought back from India to England by the sailors and employees of the British East India Company in the early seventeenth century, and from there it was introduced into other European countries. The word punch is a loanword from Hindi. The original drink was named paantsch, which is Hindi for "five", and the drink was made from five different ingredients: spirit, sugar, lemon, water or tea and spices.
 
Punch quickly became a popular drink. It was served in punch bowls, usually ceramic or silver, which were often elaborately decorated. Punch bowls sometimes had lids or were supported on a stand; other accessories such as a serving ladle and cups in which to serve the drink sometimes accompanied the punch bowl.  
 
We have planted up this collectible piece with magnificent ‘Bellissimo’ orchids by Opti-Flor, the gold standard of orchids. They will flower for ages and will continue to thrive as a plant if put in its happy place. We include very detailed instructions for growing these miniature orchids and have always had great success with them.
 
As an interesting aside, for my last birthday we went to Jason Atherton’s Punch Room bar in the Edition Hotel in Berners Street, W1 which specialises in communal punch bowls – which are utterly delicious and a really good sharing drink. We’ve included a recipe for a traditional punch – incase you decide to let the planter to revert to its original purpose! 
 
Would make an amazing gift for someone special. This is gifting with a heart, it has a story, has been made sustainably and will continue to live on as a functional piece of history. 
 
This planted orchid punch bowl is available for free delivery by us in Central London or can be collected from our shop from the 6 November 2023 onwards - 26 Connaught Street, London W2 2AF. Unfortunately cannot be couriered.