This rare porcelain punchbowl commemorates the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet to the Vice-Admiral Beatty, Commander-in-Chief of the British Grand Fleet in the Firth of Forth in November 1918. The surrender was code named 'Operation ZZ' and represented the final stage of the German capitulation, taking place ten days after the guns had fallen silent along the Western front.

The scene is painted with a view of the fleet and an airship. It is signed by the artist 'J. E. Dean', referring to James Edwin Dean (1863-1935), the chief painter at Minton, a major company in Staffordshire pottery. The lower portion is blue, with a gilt rim and a deep foot. The painting and the blue section are separated with a band of gilded rope twist. A rope band also surrounds the inscription in gold lettering on a white reserve 'Admiral Sir David Beatty's Signal. "The German Flag is to be hauled down at sunset today and not to be hoisted again without permission" 21st November 1918.' The maker's mark is printed on the base and the name and address of the retailer 'JOHN FORD & CO/39 PRINCES ST/EDINBURGH'. Presumably this firm, selling high-end glass and chinaware, either purchased the bowl for a specific client or thought the event was of local interest and hoped they would find a buyer. It was acquired by the museum in 1976.