27. Was the First Fleet a tea run?

How did a colourful scene of Sydney harbour from around 1820 find itself depicted on a large punchbowl - the so-called Canton Punchbowl - that was manufactured in the Chinese port city of Canton (Guangzhou 廣州)? This gilded punchbowl was one of many China-made products produced specifically for export to Europe and represents the growing establishment of European-China trade centred on Canton but very much including the Colony of NSW in the years before the Opium Wars and the establishment of Hong Kong. The use of an engraving of the small British colony at Port Jackson – only established a generation previously – highlights the strong link with China that existed from the beginning of this British colony long before its gold rushes of a subsequent generation. The implications of this often forgotten China connection is discussed in detail. Please check out our publications at - https://chidestudypresscom.wordpress.com/the-bookstore Feel free to ask questions at: [email protected]  For more on Chinese Australian history check out Chinese Australian History in 88 Objects - https://chinozhistory.org/index.php/suggest-an-object/