The antics of cupid and his friends the putti--sometimes called Bacchanalian Boys--open a window to whimsy and playfulness in the often solemnly formal realm of neoclassical design. The exterior of this bowl provides a continuous frieze with proud cupid riding a friendly lion and others of the naughty gang pestering an annoyed looking goat. The stippled ground behind the figures furthers the impression of a classical sculpted relief.

The bowl's interior confirms the Bacchanalian inspiration of the design with a grapevine border bearing fruit and a center medallion of grape clusters and leaves. A grace note is provided by narrow stripes of pink lustre finishing the top edge and accenting the foot and interior border.

The use of pink luster as a finishing touch on medium blue printed pearlware is quite unusual, but not totally without precedent.  Seekers Antiques has offered a few such pieces over the years including a "Falls of Kilarney" cup plate and a woodsman subject dessert plate. Given the scarcity of examples, research may eventually track the treatment to one or two potters.  

This small footed bowl was originally the dregs bowl in a tea set. One wonders if the set's other pieces were decorated with the same figures or if other classical motifs were featured.