This hand-painted delfware punchbowl commemorates the launch of a small vessel, as yet unrigged, but wearing a large red ensign, jack and pennant in preparation for the tradional ceremony. Workmen can be seen wielding axes, while other men on board raise their hats. Although the jack and pennant flags were normally exclusive to the Royqal Navey, the vessel has no guns, and it is likely that she would be rigged as a merchant brig.

On the inside of the rim there is a decorative border of trellis panels and foliage and the outside is decorated with landscape scenes showing windmills and a bridge.

The bowl is inscribed 'A Ship and Launch. Thomas Cottle, 1752', which makes it the earliest ship bowl in the museum's collection.