[ADAMS, John (1735-1826)]. Liverpool creamware punch bowl featuring portraits of John Adams as President, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington. Late 18th/early 19th century.

Height 4 1/4 x diameter 10 in. transferware ceramic punch bowl (minor soiling, some scratches to interior transfer, small restoration to arm of Poseidon/Neptune).

The interior bowl features a portrait of John Adams, surrounded by the personifications of Justice holding scales and Abundance with a cornucopia. A winged cherub is above with a Phrygian "liberty" cap. Text below, partially within a riband reads: "John Adams, President of the United States of America." The inner rim is decorated with various symbols of science, war, and industry.

The outer bowl features a profile portrait of George Washington. Flanking ribands read "His Excellency / General Washington," with text below reading "Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America & President of the Congress."

The opposite side is grace with a portrait of Benjamin Franklin wearing a fur hat and signature glasses, after an engraving drawn by C.N. Cochin in 1777 and engraved by A.H. Richie. A flanking riband reads "Benjm. Franklin / L.L.D. F.R.S." With his birth information below: "Born at Boston in New England, 17 Jan. 1706. Mythological maritime vignettes with hippocampi and dolphins complete the decoration.