-Success to the Three Brothers- punch bowl 1764

This is a blue-and-white punch bowl, titled -Success to the Three Brothers- that was made anonymously. The image of a British ship on this bowl isn't just decorative. It represents a pivotal era of maritime trade and colonial expansion. The bowl speaks to the ambitions and perils of seafaring, hinting at the lives intertwined with these voyages, both the merchants who profited and the sailors who risked their lives. This piece invites us to consider the narratives often left out of the grand historical narratives. We might ask, what was the experience of those working the ships? What was the impact of these voyages on indigenous populations? Consider how a seemingly simple object opens up discussions about identity, labor, and the complex legacies of maritime history. It prompts us to reflect on whose stories are celebrated.