 The Sydney punchbowls , made in China during Emperor Chia Ch 'ing 's reign in 1796 – 1820 , are the only two known examples of Chinese export porcelain hand painted with Sydney scenes and dating from the Macquarie era . The bowls were procured in Canton about three decades after the First Fleet 's arrival at Port Jackson where the British settlement at Sydney Cove was established in 1788 . They also represent the trading between Australia and China via India at the time . Even though decorated punchbowls were prestigious items used for drinking punch at social gatherings during the 18th and 19th centuries , it is not known who originally commissioned these bowls or what special occasion they were made for . 
